JOHN BLACK SENTENCED IN FALKIRK FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE

A man from Falkirk has been formally sentenced to a six-year prison term after being convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a young woman from the area. The conviction and sentencing took place at Glasgow High Court, marking the culmination of a detailed investigation into a series of disturbing incidents.

John Black, aged 28, faced charges related to the sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman at an address in Maddiston, Falkirk district, in May 2017. The allegations did not end there; in September of the same year, Black was accused of sexually assaulting the same woman again. These incidents, which spanned over a few months, caused significant distress and trauma to the victim, who demonstrated remarkable courage in coming forward to report the crimes.

The case was brought to light following a thorough investigation that began after the victim reported the incidents in April 2018. Detective Constable Johnny McRitchie, of the Larbert Public Protection Unit, emphasized the victim’s bravery, stating, “The victim in this case showed a tremendous amount of courage reporting this to police. Despite the first incident happening in May 2017, she managed to provide us with a statement which allowed us to start our investigation.”

Further evidence uncovered during the investigation included videos and images taken on Black’s mobile phone without the victim’s consent. These materials added weight to the case and highlighted the invasive nature of Black’s actions. Detective McRitchie noted, “Evidence was found that highlighted videos and images which had been taken on Black’s mobile phone of the victim without her consent. This was extremely traumatic for her but the strength she has shown to report this has ultimately led to Black’s conviction and sentencing today.”

Both incidents, reported over a year apart, underscored a pattern of predatory behavior that the court deemed serious enough to warrant a significant custodial sentence. The judge’s decision reflects the gravity of the offenses and the impact on the victim’s well-being.

Black’s case is a stark reminder of the importance of reporting sexual offenses and the justice system’s commitment to holding offenders accountable, regardless of how much time has passed since the crimes occurred. The case also highlights the crucial role of victim bravery in securing justice and ensuring that perpetrators face the consequences of their actions.