PENSIONER JAILED FOR RAPING GIRL OVER 50 YEARS AGO
A senior citizen has been sentenced to prison for the sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl he was caring for in Fife over fifty years ago.David Baird, a great-grandfather, was just 16 at the time of the assault, which took place at a residence in the Markinch area between March and September 1974.
He admitted guilt just two days after his trial began, choosing to do so before the victim had the chance to testify.
During his sentencing at the High Court in Dundee, it was mentioned that Baird became emotional, stating, "I just don’t want to put her through it any more." The judge, Lord Harrower, sentenced Baird, who had been held in custody since his guilty plea, to 44 months in prison.
He remarked, “This crime happened more than 50 years ago, when you were only 16.
While you were babysitting the girl—who was just seven—her parents were at the local bowling alley.
“In her victim impact statement, she explained that she was told not to speak about what you did to her, only reporting it now in 2023.
“Your actions have had a deep and lasting effect on her mental health, relationships, and family life.
“Time does not lessen the severity of the offence, but your otherwise respectable life and health issues have been considered.
Furthermore, Baird was ordered to stay away from the victim for life through a non-harassment order.”
