JAMES LITTLE FROM DUMFRIES SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE GIRL AND HISTORICAL OFFENCES

In a case that has shocked the community of Dumfries, James Little, a 62-year-old man, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl. The disturbing incidents occurred at a residence in Dumfries between April and August of the previous year, during which Little targeted the young victim on multiple occasions.

Little's criminal behavior extended beyond this recent case, as he also admitted to abusing two other girls over two decades ago. The earlier offenses involved indecent assaults committed at a house in Dumfries, with one girl being victimized from the age of nine until she was 16, and another on a single occasion when she was 17. These historical crimes spanned from 1978 to 1996.

The recent case came to light after the victim reported the abuse to the police. During the investigation, forensic evidence played a crucial role; DNA samples taken from the girl’s body matched Little’s genetic profile, leading to his arrest. The court heard that Little had also sent the girl a series of indecent text messages, including one in which he expressed a desire to have sex with her, but acknowledged she was “too young.”

On August 18 last year, the girl confided in her mother about the abuse, prompting police to become involved. The girl’s chest was swabbed for DNA, which confirmed Little’s involvement. Despite the evidence, Little pleaded guilty to the charges related to the recent abuse, and the Crown accepted his not guilty plea to a charge of raping the girl.

During the court proceedings, advocate depute Paul Kearney detailed the nature of the abuse, emphasizing that the young girl was subjected to repeated assaults. He described how the girl would cry and beg Little to stop, but he continued regardless of her pleas. Little also admitted to social workers during a hospital admission that he did not understand why he had committed these acts, but he now recognized that his actions were wrong.

In addition to the prison sentence, Little was ordered to register as a sex offender, a standard procedure for such convictions. Jennifer McGill, senior Procurator Fiscal depute and team leader for the Dumfries and Galloway area sexual offences team, commented on the case’s nature. She explained that cases involving historical abuse are quite common and often come to light following recent disclosures. McGill encouraged victims or witnesses of sexual offences to come forward and seek help from police or organizations like Rape Crisis.

The South West Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre remains available for support and can be contacted at 01387 253113. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and the ongoing need to protect vulnerable individuals from sexual exploitation and abuse, regardless of the time elapsed since the offences occurred.