ERIK RAFFERTY'S REIGN OF HORROR IN ABERDEEN ENDS WITH 15-YEAR SENTENCE REFUSAL
In October 2017, the community of Aberdeen was shaken by the conviction and subsequent sentencing of Eric Rafferty, a man whose heinous crimes against young girls spanned over a decade.Rafferty, aged 70 at the time, was sentenced in March to a lengthy term of 15 years after a jury found him guilty of multiple serious sex offences, including rape, attempted rape, and indecent practices involving minors.
Rafferty’s criminal activities reportedly began in the 1980s and continued into the early 1990s, with his victims being four young girls from the North-east region.
The offences took place at various addresses in Aberdeen and surrounding areas, with some incidents occurring over an extended period of more than five years.
The crimes included not only acts of sexual assault but also attempts to rape and the use of lewd, libidinous, and indecent practices, some of which involved forcing victims to watch pornographic material.
Despite the gravity of his crimes, Rafferty initially denied all allegations during his trial at the High Court in Aberdeen.
However, the jury convicted him on two counts of rape, which involved assaulting two of the girls over several years.
He was also found guilty of four charges related to lewd and indecent practices, including one where he made a young girl watch pornography.
The offences, which had been reported as far back as the 1990s, only resulted in Rafferty facing justice more than twenty years later, highlighting the often delayed process of bringing such offenders to account.
During sentencing, Lord Uist described Rafferty’s crimes as “unspeakably wicked” and emphasized the profound impact on his victims.
The judge noted that the lengthy delay in prosecution was typical of cases where victims come forward many years after the abuse, often due to fear or trauma.
Rafferty was also convicted of attempting to rape one of the victims on multiple occasions over a period exceeding five years.
Following the verdict, a spokesperson for the Judicial Office for Scotland confirmed that Rafferty’s appeal against his sentence had been refused.
This decision was met with relief and a sense of closure by the victims and their families.
One anonymous victim expressed her feelings, stating, “How dare he undermine his victims and survivors.
He deserves the sentence he received.
Now he has lost his appeal, I can close this chapter in my life.” Another woman, also a survivor, shared her emotional journey, saying, “The past almost three years since it all came out has been a living hell.
I had shut it all away deep down inside.
I can now begin to get on with my life.
I will never forget, but I need to work my way through the pain, nightmares, and flashbacks to start afresh.
Now his appeal has been refused, it means it’s all over, and I can start a new chapter.” Similarly, another individual who was abused by Rafferty expressed relief, stating, “On hearing the news, my family and I have breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Knowing all his appeals have been heard and lost, my nightmare has finally ended.
It’s a huge weight lifted, and with the support of loved ones and friends, I can now focus on rebuilding my life.
I want to thank Police Scotland and everyone involved in the case for their help and support.
I won’t let my past define or destroy my future.
I am now concentrating on my family and myself—without them, I don’t know where I’d be right now.” Throughout the trial, Rafferty maintained his innocence, but the jury’s verdict confirmed his guilt on multiple counts.
The judge’s remarks underscored the severity of his crimes, emphasizing that such offences are among the most heinous and require strict punishment.
Rafferty’s address was listed as Fraser Court, Aberdeen, and he remains remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing scheduled for the following month.
The case has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the importance of justice for victims of child sexual abuse and the long road to accountability.
