GEORGE CUMMINGS FROM GRANGEMOUTH SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE INVOLVING NIECES
| Red Rose Database
Grangemouth Rapist
In a case that has shocked the community of Grangemouth, a 69-year-old man named George Cummings has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for the sexual abuse of his two nieces during their childhood. The crimes took place primarily in the 1970s, when Cummings was living in the Forth Street and Kerse Road areas of Grangemouth.
According to court records, Cummings, who is also known by the nickname Billy, began abusing his nieces when they were very young—specifically, when one was just three years old and the other six. The abuse continued over several years, leaving lasting scars on the victims, Diane, now 40, and Angela, now 42. Both women chose to waive their right to anonymity in an effort to encourage other victims of sexual abuse to come forward and report their experiences.
The court proceedings revealed that Cummings, who was brought to court in a wheelchair by ambulance, continues to deny the allegations of abuse against his nieces. The trial, held at the High Court in Edinburgh, resulted in a conviction for sexually abusing one girl and engaging in lewd and libidinous behavior towards another. The jury also returned 'not proven' verdicts on allegations that he molested two additional girls on various occasions between 1970 and 1979.
Members of the victims’ families expressed their relief and support as Judge Sheriff Roger Craik sentenced Cummings. However, controversy arose during the trial when a witness, Ann, who had accused Cummings of raping her at age 12, became distressed while giving her testimony. She fled the witness box and was subsequently remanded in custody overnight at an Edinburgh police station. Ann, who has since waived her right to anonymity, was released the following day to continue her evidence. The rape charge against Cummings was later dropped.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Cummings, who is now living a reclusive life and has no contact with his family, was allowed to remain free throughout the proceedings and while awaiting sentencing. The court heard that Cummings’s abuse of his nieces occurred between 1971 and 1977, with the victims describing the profound and lasting impact of his actions. Diane recounted that she was abused from the age of three for six years, stating, “He’s taken away 37 years of my life,” and emphasizing that the trauma continues to affect her.
Angela, who was abused from the age of six for five years, shared that the experience had damaged her relationship with her sister. She explained that the death of their mother five years ago was a catalyst that brought their shared trauma to light and ultimately reunited the sisters after many years of silence.
Defense lawyer Sarah Livingstone highlighted that Cummings, who is divorced and now lives in isolation in Grangemouth, has no ongoing contact with his family. Following the verdict and sentencing, Cummings was taken into custody to serve his prison term, ending his period of liberty that had lasted through the trial and sentencing process.
According to court records, Cummings, who is also known by the nickname Billy, began abusing his nieces when they were very young—specifically, when one was just three years old and the other six. The abuse continued over several years, leaving lasting scars on the victims, Diane, now 40, and Angela, now 42. Both women chose to waive their right to anonymity in an effort to encourage other victims of sexual abuse to come forward and report their experiences.
The court proceedings revealed that Cummings, who was brought to court in a wheelchair by ambulance, continues to deny the allegations of abuse against his nieces. The trial, held at the High Court in Edinburgh, resulted in a conviction for sexually abusing one girl and engaging in lewd and libidinous behavior towards another. The jury also returned 'not proven' verdicts on allegations that he molested two additional girls on various occasions between 1970 and 1979.
Members of the victims’ families expressed their relief and support as Judge Sheriff Roger Craik sentenced Cummings. However, controversy arose during the trial when a witness, Ann, who had accused Cummings of raping her at age 12, became distressed while giving her testimony. She fled the witness box and was subsequently remanded in custody overnight at an Edinburgh police station. Ann, who has since waived her right to anonymity, was released the following day to continue her evidence. The rape charge against Cummings was later dropped.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Cummings, who is now living a reclusive life and has no contact with his family, was allowed to remain free throughout the proceedings and while awaiting sentencing. The court heard that Cummings’s abuse of his nieces occurred between 1971 and 1977, with the victims describing the profound and lasting impact of his actions. Diane recounted that she was abused from the age of three for six years, stating, “He’s taken away 37 years of my life,” and emphasizing that the trauma continues to affect her.
Angela, who was abused from the age of six for five years, shared that the experience had damaged her relationship with her sister. She explained that the death of their mother five years ago was a catalyst that brought their shared trauma to light and ultimately reunited the sisters after many years of silence.
Defense lawyer Sarah Livingstone highlighted that Cummings, who is divorced and now lives in isolation in Grangemouth, has no ongoing contact with his family. Following the verdict and sentencing, Cummings was taken into custody to serve his prison term, ending his period of liberty that had lasted through the trial and sentencing process.