EDINBURGH RAPIST DAVID SCOTT SENTENCED FOR 45-YEAR ABUSE CAMPAIGN

In a harrowing case that spans over four decades, David Scott, a 60-year-old man from Edinburgh, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a prolonged and systematic campaign of sexual abuse against young girls. The abuse, which began when Scott was just 12 years old and continued until he was 57, has left a lasting scar on his victims and shocked the community.

Scott’s crimes came to light during a court hearing at the High Court in Glasgow, where he pleaded guilty to charges of raping three young girls and sexually abusing an additional three. His actions created an environment of fear and silence, preventing many victims from speaking out for years. The court heard that Scott, a former soldier discharged from the army, had inflicted trauma on his victims that ranged from emotional and psychological damage to physical harm.

One of Scott’s victims, a young girl, was so traumatised by his assault that she attempted to take her own life at the age of just 10. The court was told that Scott’s abuse spanned multiple locations, including various addresses in Edinburgh and even in Turkey, where he took some of his victims. The lengthy period of offending was only halted after a brave victim reported the abuse to police in 2017.

During the proceedings, Scott admitted to ten charges, including rape and lewd and libidinous behaviour. Prosecutor Angela Gray detailed the horrific extent of his crimes, revealing that his first victim was subjected to abuse for 13 years, starting from the age of five. Scott had told her not to tell anyone and had bought her silence with money. The girl was raped weekly during her teenage years, and her suffering was compounded by incidents at a caravan park in Midlothian.

Another victim, who was only five when the abuse began, was told, “Remember our wee secret,” by Scott. He also raped a girl who was just seven at the time, and her screams during one attack prompted a neighbour to come outside and investigate. Scott once threatened her, saying, “I’ll kill your mum if you say a word,” but the girl confided in her mother, leading to a police investigation in 1997. Despite Scott’s detention, no charges were filed at that time, allowing him to continue his predatory behaviour on other young girls, some as young as four.

The final victim, who was eight when the abuse started, endured four years of assault until 2015. Her abuse included a trip to Turkey with Scott and his relatives, during which she was raped. She described waking up distressed in the night, haunted by her experiences with Scott.

Adding to the disturbing nature of Scott’s story, it was revealed in April 2018 that he had spent a year living in Whitefoord House, a facility in Edinburgh that provides accommodation for homeless military veterans. This was despite the fact that the centre explicitly bans individuals with convictions or pending charges related to sexual offences. Scott, who served in the Royal Scots and was stationed mainly in Germany, concealed his criminal past from the management of the facility. Fellow residents, many of whom are ex-servicemen, expressed outrage and disgust upon discovering Scott’s history, with some saying he kept to himself and avoided interaction.

Scott’s criminal activities, which include rape and other sexual offences, date back to 1970. His first report to police was in 1997, but the case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence. The impact of his actions has devastated families, with one father describing how Scott’s abuse has left his family shattered and countless lives ruined. Scott’s military service included a four-year stint with the Royal Scots, primarily in Germany. He is currently awaiting sentencing, which is expected to be handed down later.