JEFFREY AITKEN'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN STEVENSTON AND SYMINGTON REVEALED

In a case that has shocked the communities of Stevenston and Symington, Jeffrey Aitken, aged 60, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for heinous crimes committed nearly three decades ago. The High Court in Glasgow heard harrowing details of his abuse, which included the rape of his 12-year-old stepdaughter and the sexual assault of her school friends, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned several years.

According to court records, Aitken committed the assault at a residence in Symington, South Ayrshire. The judge, Lady Rae, addressed the severity of his actions, stating, “Your victim is now a woman in her 40s, and what happened to her has been lasting and life-changing.” She further criticized Aitken for his lack of remorse, noting, “You have expressed no remorse or shown any compassion or consideration for that lady.”

Jeffrey Aitken was convicted after a trial that uncovered disturbing evidence of his repeated attacks. The court learned that between 1988 and 1990, he assaulted his young stepdaughter multiple times, with the crimes coming to light only years later when a relative of the victim decided to “name and shame” him. The conviction also included charges of indecent assault on another teenage girl, which occurred between 1989 and 1993. The court heard that Aitken had induced one of his victims to consume alcohol, leading her to lose consciousness during the assault.

For many years, Aitken managed to evade justice, with the case remaining unresolved until approximately two years ago when a family member of one of the victims confronted him directly. The victim herself later challenged him, telling Aitken, “You abused me and you know you did it.” Despite these allegations, Aitken denied ever confessing to anyone that he had attacked either girl, maintaining his innocence during the proceedings.

In a separate but equally disturbing case from November 2016, a woman who was raped by her stepfather as a child managed to confront him 26 years later. The victim, now a mother of two, took the bold step of visiting Aitken’s home in Stevenston, Ayrshire, where she forced him to admit to his crimes. Her confrontation was a pivotal moment that led to his subsequent conviction. She expressed her feelings about the ordeal, stating, “He can rot. It shows you never give up on justice. He destroyed my childhood, teenage years, and adulthood.”

The woman revealed that Aitken had preyed on her from the age of seven, escalating his abuse when she was 13, after years of grooming. She recounted how he had manipulated her, including giving her alcohol and eventually raping her at his house. Her account detailed how she was left disoriented and crying after the assault, with Aitken attempting to comfort her afterward. Despite her efforts to move on, the trauma haunted her for decades, leading her to seek justice only after confronting him directly.

Her courage in facing her abuser culminated in a police investigation, which confirmed her allegations. Aitken was found guilty of rape and lewd and libidinous behavior at the High Court in Glasgow last week. The victim described the long-lasting impact of his abuse, saying, “What he did has left me with distrust my whole life. If he hadn’t done the bad stuff, he was a good dad. He taught me how to swim and all that stuff, but this has scarred me. I still have roasting hot baths and use scrubbing brushes on myself as I feel dirty.”

Her decision to confront Aitken at his home was driven by her frustration with the legal process, which initially failed to bring him to justice. When she arrived at his house with her mother, Aitken appeared visibly guilty, and within minutes, he admitted to the crimes, saying, “Yeah, I done it.” The woman recounted how she listed every incident of abuse she endured, from being groped at age seven to the rape at 13, after he had intoxicated her. Her mother and Aitken’s wife urged him to confess, which he did, acknowledging the truth of her accusations.

Following her confrontation, police questioned everyone present in the house, leading to charges of rape and lewd behavior against Aitken. Despite his denials of confessing, the jury found him guilty, and he was convicted of multiple charges, including indecent assault on another teenage girl. The court heard that his crimes spanned from 1983 to 1993, with the judge warning of a lengthy prison sentence when he is sentenced next month. Lady Rae emphasized the disturbing nature of his crimes, remarking, “What is disturbing is how little you cared for your victims.”

In a related case from November 2016, Aitken was also convicted of giving a young girl alcohol before raping her. The court described him as a “predator,” highlighting the disturbing pattern of abuse and manipulation that characterized his actions over the years. The judge in Glasgow described the charges as “appalling,” and deferred sentencing, indicating that Aitken faces a significant prison term for his “appalling” crimes. The case has left a lasting scar on the victims and the communities of Stevenston and Symington, with many calling for justice to be fully served.