ANDREW MOUAT SHOCKS CASTLE DOUGLAS WITH HORRIFIC FANCY DRESS PARTY CRIMES IN GLASGOW HIGH COURT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, Andrew Mouat, aged 41, was sentenced to a decade behind bars at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday. The court heard harrowing details of his long history of sexual offenses, which spanned over two decades and involved multiple young victims.

Judge Lord Burns described Mouat’s actions as an "appalling campaign of offending," emphasizing the severity and depravity of his crimes. The court was told that Mouat, who is deaf, began abusing girls when he was just 12 years old, and his predatory behavior persisted well into adulthood. The abuse included a series of heinous acts, some of which were carried out during events he organized under the guise of fake fancy dress competitions.

These deceptive gatherings were used by Mouat as a means to lure vulnerable children into his trap. Prosecutor Alan MacKay revealed that Mouat would offer the winners of these fake contests the dubious prize of going to bed with him, a tactic that exploited the innocence and trust of his young victims. The court heard that some of the abuse occurred after Mouat arranged these pretend fancy dress parties, turning what should have been innocent fun into a sinister trap.

Andrew Mouat faced a total of ten charges, including rape and indecent assault, which he was convicted of in July. The charges detailed abuse against girls as young as three years old, with some victims as young as six and ten at the time of their victimization. One of the most disturbing accounts involved a girl aged between eight and ten, who testified via CCTV that Mouat forced himself on her during a period between September 2005 and July 2007. Prior to this, he had attempted to induce her to perform a sex act when she was only six years old.

Other victims included a girl who was three when the abuse started, another who was six, and a young boy who was also manipulated into performing sexual acts. The court was told that Mouat took advantage of his victims while their parents were away at work, instructing them not to disclose the abuse. Some of the allegations included inappropriate licking and touching of the children’s feet, acts which the prosecution argued were done for Mouat’s sexual gratification.

Throughout the proceedings, Mouat maintained his innocence, with his defense lawyer, Murray Macara QC, asserting that Mouat denies all allegations and claims that his accusers are lying. Despite his protests, the jury found him guilty on all counts, leading Judge Lord Burns to remand him into custody pending further background checks before sentencing.

Given the nature of his crimes and the risk of re-offending, Mouat will be subject to strict monitoring for a further eight years after his release. The case has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the dangers of predators who exploit trust and innocence under the guise of innocent entertainment.