COLIN BOUGLAS SENTENCED IN HAWICK FOR DECADES OF CHILD SEX OFFENSES AT HIGH COURT IN LIVINGSTON

A woman who endured a traumatic assault and sexual abuse by a man from Hawick before she even reached primary school has responded with a mixture of shock and a sense of relief following the recent sentencing. Colin Bouglas, now aged 56, was handed a severe prison sentence of 19 years at the High Court in Livingston last Wednesday. The sentence includes 14 years of direct incarceration, with the remaining five years subject to parole considerations, reflecting the gravity of his crimes.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Bouglas’s offending history stretches back to 1984, revealing a disturbing pattern of deviant sexual behavior focused on young girls. Some of his victims were under the age of six when he committed acts of abuse against them. The court heard harrowing details of his crimes, which included acts of extreme depravity such as defecating into one girl’s mouth. The bravery of the victims was evident as they provided testimony during the trial, confronting Bouglas directly despite the trauma he inflicted upon them. Bouglas had denied all allegations prior to the trial, but the victims’ testimonies painted a disturbing picture of his predatory behavior.

The first victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous to protect her identity, expressed her shock at the length of the sentence. She stated, “We were stunned — absolutely shocked — when the sentence was passed, because we only expected him to get a couple of years, simply because the system has failed many. So, to us, 19 years in total is a lot.” She further explained that Bouglas will serve at least 14 years without the possibility of early release, with parole likely only being considered six months before the completion of his sentence. She voiced concern that Bouglas might be released when he is around 70 years old and will then be monitored for five years afterward.

Judge Susan Craig emphasized from the victims’ statements that Bouglas’s actions have had a profound and lasting impact on their lives. Notably, two of the victims, now adults, requested to give evidence without any special screening measures, so they could face Bouglas directly when recounting their experiences. The court highlighted that Bouglas’s offenses were committed while he was in positions of trust and involved acts of a depraved and degrading nature. As part of his sentence, Bouglas will be registered on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, a measure intended to protect the community and serve as a reminder of the severity of his crimes.

The court and victims hope that their courage in speaking out will encourage others suffering from abuse to seek help and report their experiences. Support organizations such as Rape Crisis Scotland and Rape Crisis England and Wales are available to assist those affected by such crimes. The article underscores the importance of community support and the ongoing fight against child sexual abuse and violence.

It was acknowledged during the proceedings that Bouglas’s crimes only came to light due to the bravery of his victims, who reported him to the police. The court recognized the significant damage inflicted on the victims and emphasized the importance of delivering justice.

In the sentencing statement, Judge Susan Craig detailed that Bouglas was convicted on December 9, 2022, at the High Court in Glasgow of multiple charges, including rape, sexual assault, and lewd and libidinous practices involving two girls who were still at nursery and under school age when the abuse occurred. He was also convicted of sexually assaulting a child from the age of 2 until she was 6, with multiple rapes occurring when she was just 6 years old. These crimes only came to light in 2020 after one of the victims, now an adult, reported her abuse to the police.

The judge highlighted that Bouglas was in a position of trust concerning the child victim and repeatedly assaulted her, performing degrading acts and raping her multiple times. The other victims, now adults, had requested to give evidence directly to the court, expressing a desire to face Bouglas and recount their suffering firsthand. The judge noted that these early abuses have had a profound impact on their lives.

At 56 years old, Bouglas has no prior convictions, but his offending history dates back to 1984, with some periods of inactivity. The court emphasized that his continued offending over decades, despite the lack of previous convictions, demonstrates a pattern of serious and ongoing predatory behavior. The judge condemned Bouglas for grossly abusing his trust and for the concealment of his crimes for so long, only coming to light through the victims’ bravery.

Further assessments described Bouglas as emotionally shallow, lacking capacity for meaningful emotional attachments, and possessing a deep-rooted deviant arousal towards young girls. The risk assessment indicated a medium risk of further sexual offending. Despite mitigation arguments presented by Bouglas’s legal counsel, the court determined that only a substantial custodial sentence was appropriate given the severity of his crimes.

Judge Craig explained that Bouglas would serve an extended sentence, which includes a 14-year custodial period followed by a five-year extension under supervision. During this extension, Bouglas will be subject to conditions set by Scottish Ministers, and failure to comply could result in revocation of his license and re-imprisonment. The court also noted that Bouglas will be subject to indefinite notification requirements under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

In conclusion, the court’s decision reflects the seriousness of Bouglas’s crimes and the importance of protecting vulnerable victims. The case underscores the vital role of victims’ bravery in bringing offenders to justice and highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and support in combating child sexual abuse.