CHARLES KING SENTENCED IN ALLOA FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AS JUDGE CRITICIZES LOW MAXIMUM SENTENCES

In October 1996, a serious case involving the sexual abuse of a young girl in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, drew significant attention from the Scottish judiciary. Charles King, aged 32 and residing on Caledonian Road in Alloa, was brought before the High Court in Stirling to face charges related to his inappropriate and unlawful conduct towards a 13-year-old girl.

King was accused of subjecting the young girl to multiple assaults over a period of three months. These attacks included an attempted rape, which marked a particularly disturbing aspect of the case. The girl, whose identity remains protected, confided in a teacher about the abuse, which ultimately led to the police being called and King’s arrest. His guilty plea to charges of lewd and libidinous behavior, as well as attempting to have unlawful sex with the minor, was accepted by the court.

During the sentencing hearing, Lord Abernethy expressed strong criticism of the existing legal framework, specifically pointing out that the maximum sentences for certain child sex offences are insufficient. He remarked that these maximum penalties have often been the subject of adverse comment from judges, yet the law restricts the severity of the punishment that can be handed down. Lord Abernethy emphasized this point while sentencing King, stating, “These maximum sentences have frequently been the subject of adverse comment from judges. But I am restricted in the sentence I can impose.”

The court heard that King’s crimes, while serious, did not meet the threshold for the most severe category of offences that warrant the maximum two-year sentence. After a detailed half-hour discussion with James Campbell QC, the prosecutor, the judge decided on a sentence of one year for each of the charges, to be served consecutively. This means King will serve a total of two years in prison.

In his remarks to King, Lord Abernethy underscored the gravity of abusing a child, stating, “Abuse of this kind against a child can, in my opinion, only be dealt with by a custodial sentence.” The judge also highlighted that King’s decision to plead guilty spared the young girl from the trauma of testifying in court, which is often a difficult and distressing process for victims of such crimes.

Overall, the case has sparked ongoing debate about the adequacy of current sentencing laws for child sex offences, with many advocating for harsher penalties to better protect vulnerable minors and serve as a stronger deterrent to potential offenders.