GRAHAM BORTHWICK'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN EDINBURGH, MUSSELBURGH, AND TRANENT REVEALED

In a series of deeply disturbing criminal cases, Graham Borthwick, a man with a long history of sexual offenses against young boys, has been convicted and sentenced for his heinous acts committed across Edinburgh, Musselburgh, and Tranent in East Lothian.

In 2017, the High Court in Edinburgh heard harrowing details of Borthwick’s abuse of a teenage boy, starting when the victim was just 14 years old in 2010. Over the course of two years, Borthwick repeatedly subjected the young boy to sexual assault, culminating in a rape that took place inside a residence in Musselburgh. The court also learned that Borthwick had previously been convicted of sexually abusing another boy in Edinburgh, with these offenses spanning from 1999 to 2009.

At the age of 50, Borthwick faced justice after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, where he was found guilty of multiple charges. During sentencing, Lord Summer ordered that Borthwick be placed under supervision for a period of three years following his release from prison. Currently, Borthwick is serving a seven-year sentence handed down in 2012, after being convicted of abusing three young boys.

Back in November 2012, Borthwick was sentenced to seven years in prison for a series of offenses involving three boys, with the abuse spanning over a decade. His crimes took place at various locations, including houses in Edinburgh, Musselburgh, and Tranent. The first victim, aged just nine when the abuse began in 1999, was subjected to Borthwick’s predatory behavior over several years. Another boy, who was ten at the time, was also victimized by indecent acts over a four-year period, with Borthwick’s assault on him continuing until he was 14. The third young boy, aged between eight and 11, was abused between 2008 and earlier this year.

Judge Lord Jones, presiding at the High Court in Edinburgh, described Borthwick’s actions as extremely serious, emphasizing that the abuse only ceased when the offenses were uncovered. Borthwick, then 46 and formerly residing on Kings Road in Tranent, was also ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely. Despite denying the allegations, Borthwick was convicted of three charges of indecent behavior and one of indecent assault by a jury last month. His defense lawyer, Drew McKenzie, maintained that Borthwick continued to deny any involvement in the sexual offenses.

Further back in October 2012, Borthwick was convicted of sexually abusing three boys over a 13-year period. The jury found him guilty of four charges, including lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices directed at two step-brothers at addresses in Edinburgh. The first boy, aged nine and ten at the time, was assaulted in 1999 and 2000. The second boy, the younger brother, was subjected to similar abuse starting when he was ten, with the assaults continuing until he turned 14 in 2009. Additionally, Borthwick was convicted of forcing the younger brother to perform a sex act in 2009, when he was between 14 and 15 years old.

The youngest victim, a 12-year-old boy who testified via CCTV, recounted that Borthwick began abusing him at age eight while he was still in primary school. The child’s behavior reportedly changed, prompting his teacher to question him, which ultimately led to police involvement. The boy described feeling scared and unable to confide in his mother about the abuse. Borthwick, who denied inviting the children to his home or abusing them directly, was accused of luring the boys with treats and trips before subjecting them to sexual acts.

The court was informed that Borthwick’s pattern of moving from child to child over many years was particularly troubling. His partner of six years, Tanya Walker, was present in court but did not comment on the case. Two relatives of Borthwick left the court visibly upset after the verdict. Following the conviction, the prosecution requested that Borthwick be sentenced appropriately, noting that he had been on remand since March 20, 2012, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The judge adjourned sentencing until November 21 for social work reports and ordered that Borthwick’s name be added to the sex offenders register, with the case to be reported to Scottish ministers.