GEORGE YOUNG OF DUNDEE SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH COURTS
In a case that has spanned decades and involved serious allegations of child abuse, George Young, a 66-year-old man from Dundee, has been sentenced to four years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow.The conviction stems from charges related to the sexual abuse of two young girls during the 1970s and 1980s, incidents that allegedly took place while Young was acting in a babysitting capacity.
Judge Rita Rae QC described the crimes as 'a gross breach of trust,' emphasizing the severity and the devastating impact such offenses have on victims.
The court heard that Young was found guilty of three counts of indecency against the children, with the offences occurring several decades ago.
Despite the passage of time, the court acknowledged the lasting trauma inflicted upon the victims.
It was revealed during the trial that George Young had prior convictions for sexual offences, which added weight to the seriousness of the case.
Young, who had previously worked as a quarry worker, vehemently denied knowing the girls and dismissed the allegations as 'all lies.' When questioned about the accusations, he attempted to shift blame onto his deceased brother, Norman, claiming that both he and Norman looked alike.
Young stated that in 2005, his dying brother had confided in him, admitting that he had used George's name while 'mucking about' with the girls.
In a related incident in August 2012, Young appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh, where he was found guilty of similar charges.
During that trial, he collapsed in the courtroom after the jury returned a guilty verdict on three counts of indecency.
The court was told that Young's abuse began as early as 1977, when one of the victims was just seven years old.
The prosecution also highlighted Young's previous convictions for assault with intent to ravish and for having sex with a person with a mental disability.
Throughout the proceedings, Young maintained his innocence, denying any knowledge of the girls and insisting that the allegations were fabricated.
He told detectives that it was 'all lies' and claimed that both girls had identified him as the perpetrator.
When asked about the accusations, he again pointed to his brother Norman, asserting that they looked alike and that Norman had used his name during the incidents.
Judge Rae QC, who presided over the Edinburgh case, ordered that Young be remanded in custody and placed on the sex offenders register.
She underscored the gravity of the charges, stating, 'The abuse of children, young children, is one of the most serious charges that can appear in this court… It can destroy lives.' The court's decisions reflect the ongoing concern and seriousness with which such offenses are treated, regardless of the time elapsed since the crimes occurred.
