JOHN WATT QC SCOTLAND EDINBURGH EXTRADITION SEXUAL ABUSE CHILDREN
In August 2022, a disturbing case unfolded involving John Watt QC, a once-respected Scottish lawyer with deep ties to Edinburgh, who was convicted of heinous crimes committed decades earlier.Watt, aged 72 at the time of sentencing, had preyed on four young children over a span of more than 14 years, with his offenses taking place across various locations in Edinburgh, including the West End, New Town, and Leith.
His criminal activities came to light after a lengthy investigation that culminated in his extradition from the United States, where he had moved in the mid-1990s to escape prosecution.
Watt was living in Oklahoma with his wife before authorities successfully brought him back to Scotland in 2020 to face justice.
The extradition process was initiated following evidence that linked him to multiple instances of sexual abuse dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.
Watt’s trial at the High Court in Glasgow revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse.
He was found guilty of five charges, including rape, indecent assault, and indecent conduct, all committed at various residences in Edinburgh.
The crimes spanned from September 1973 to August 1987.
The victims included three girls and a boy, with ages at the time of abuse ranging from under 12 to 10 years old.
The court heard that some of these victims had relatives who were also involved in the legal profession, adding a layer of complexity and betrayal to the case.
During the proceedings, Watt attempted to shift blame onto a now-deceased lawyer, claiming that attacks on one of the girls were committed by someone else.
The female victim, now 55, recounted how her father, also a lawyer, took her to see Watt at a house in Edinburgh.
She testified, “I did things to the man which he made me do,” revealing the coercive nature of her abuse.
Two sisters, who were young girls at the time, described waking up to Watt at their bedside, with one of them waking to find Watt in her bed and being touched inappropriately.
They recounted their fear and confusion, with one sister recalling Watt turning on her and subjecting her to abuse.
The court also heard that their father had reported Watt to a senior lawyer, who later became a judge, instead of alerting police authorities.
The male victim, now an adult, described how Watt entered his room and instructed him to turn over, as he was left in Watt’s care while his parents were away.
These testimonies painted a picture of a man who exploited positions of trust and authority.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Lord Braid described Watt’s crimes as “vile” and of “utmost seriousness and depravity.” He emphasized the profound and lifelong impact on the victims, noting that Watt’s continued denial of guilt and lack of remorse contributed to the severity of the sentence.
Watt was sentenced to 10 years in prison and was placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.
The judge highlighted that Watt, during his career, prosecuted cases involving sexual offenses, making his actions even more egregious given his role as an advocate depute.
Throughout the trial, Watt showed no emotion as he was remanded into custody, with sentencing scheduled for August 8.
The case has left a lasting scar on the victims, who listened from the public gallery as Watt’s defense argued that he was being unfairly treated, likening his arrest to that of a “serial killer.” The court’s decision underscores the gravity of Watt’s offenses and the devastating effects they have had on those he victimized, many of whom were children at the time of the abuse in Edinburgh.
