JOHN ROONEY FROM KELSO SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE BORDERS

In September 2015, a man from Kelso named John Rooney was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. The assault took place at an address located within the Borders region, with the incident occurring sometime between April 2009 and April 2010. The young girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was the victim of a serious and disturbing crime that has garnered significant attention.

Rooney, aged 46 at the time of sentencing, was convicted of attempted rape following a trial held last month at the High Court in Glasgow. The court proceedings revealed the gravity of the offense and the impact it had on the young victim. During the sentencing, Judge Lord Stewart addressed Rooney directly, emphasizing that the law provided no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence given the nature of the crime.

Rooney's defense advocate, Victoria Dow, argued in his favor during the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. She highlighted that her client was a first-time offender and maintained that he continued to deny the allegations of attacking the girl. Despite this, she acknowledged that Rooney accepted the jury's verdict, which found him guilty of the charges.

In delivering the sentence, Lord Stewart reiterated that the severity of the crime left no room for leniency. Consequently, Rooney was sentenced to four years behind bars, reflecting the serious nature of the offense committed in the Borders area. The case has been a stark reminder of the importance of justice for victims of sexual assault and the legal system's role in ensuring accountability.