Febuary 2013 Edward McPhillips jailed for child rape and assaults in West Lothian A West Lothian man who raped a teenager and sexually abused three other children over a 17-year period has been jailed for seven years. Edward McPhillips, 53, raped a 15-year-old on an occasion between 1 December 1986 and Christmas Day 1986, the High Court in Edinburgh heard. McPhillips, from Bathgate, sexually abused a 12-year-old girl, who also cannot be named, between 30 September 1977 and 29 September 1978 in West Lothian. The court heard the attack took place at an address in West Lothian. He sexually assaulted an eight-year-old girl on an occasion between 11 July 1979 and 10 July 1981 at an address at a location near Edinburgh. The court also heard that McPhillips abused a five-year-old girl on an occasion between 3 January 1993 and 2 January 1994. McPhillips assaulted the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at an address in Bathgate. He was found guilty earlier this month and has now been sentenced. The court heard that McPhillips also attempted to rape the schoolgirl on various occasions between New Year’s Day 1985 and 25 December 1986. Judge John Beckett QC said McPhillips was a danger to public safety and told him he had to be jailed. Febuary 2013 Edward McPhillips found guilty of child rape and assaults over 17-year period A man has been found guilty of raping a teenager and sexually abusing three other children over a 17-year period. The High Court in Edinburgh heard Edward McPhillips raped the 15-year-old victim in December 1986 and attempted to rape her on other occasions. The 53-year-old, from Bathgate, also sexually abused girls of 12, eight and five in separate incidents. Judge John Beckett ordered McPhillips to be detained in custody for reports ahead of sentencing later this month. The temporary judge told him: “You have been convicted of a number of grave sexual offences and it is appropriate for you to be placed in custody in preparation for sentencing.” During a three-day trial the court heard McPhillips had sex with the 15-year-old against her will sometime between 1 December 1986 and Christmas Day 1986 at an address in Bathgate, West Lothian. Previous convictions He also attempted to rape the schoolgirl on various occasions between New Year’s Day 1985 and 25 December 25 1986. McPhillips also sexually abused the 12-year-old girl between 30 September 1977 and 29 September 1978 at an address in West Lothian. He sexually assaulted a girl aged eight on an occasion between 11 July 1979 and 10 July 1981 at an address near Edinburgh. The court also heard that McPhillips abused a five-year-old girl on an occasion between 3 January 1993 and 2 January 1994. McPhillips, who has previous convictions for housebreaking and traffic offences, was convicted by a jury of a total of six sexual abuse charges.