NIGEL HARTDEGEN OF HAWICK SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD SEX OFFENCES IN SCOTTISH BORDERS
| Red Rose Database
Hawick Sexual Abuser
In a case that has spanned over four decades, Nigel Hartdegen, a 67-year-old resident of Hawick, has been convicted and sentenced for serious sexual offences committed against two young girls during the early to mid-1970s in the Scottish Borders. The offences, which took place between 1973 and 1976, involved disturbing acts of molestation and indecency directed at one girl from the age of six and another from the age of ten. The crimes were committed at an address within Hawick, a town in the Scottish Borders known for its close-knit community and scenic landscapes.
Hartdegen was brought before the High Court in Glasgow, where Judge Lady Carmichael presided over the case. During the proceedings, she emphasized the gravity of the jury’s verdict, stating, “The jury convicted you of sex offences towards two young girls in the 70s over a significant period.” The court heard harrowing testimony from one of the victims, who recounted how Hartdegen exposed himself to her in his garden shed. She described how he pulled her dress up and, on another occasion, rubbed himself against her, actions that left a lasting impact on her childhood.
Despite denying the allegations, Hartdegen was found guilty of three charges related to lewd, indecent, libidinous practices and behavior involving the two girls. He was acquitted of three other charges, which included indecent assault, indecent exposure, and indecent behavior. The court also noted that Hartdegen had previous convictions from 2017 for indecent exposure and sexual assault, although at that time, he received a non-custodial sentence. The recent convictions mark a significant development in his criminal history.
Following the verdict, Hartdegen was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. In addition to his custodial sentence, he was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register, a measure aimed at monitoring his activities post-release. The judge’s decision underscores the seriousness with which the court views such offences, especially those committed against vulnerable children.
Another woman, who was a young girl at the time of the abuse, provided emotional testimony during the trial. She recounted her childhood visits to Hartdegen’s house in Hawick, where she was asked to take a cup of tea to a shed in the back garden. She revealed that Hartdegen shut the door and exposed himself to her, and on subsequent visits, he pulled her dress up and rubbed himself against her. She admitted that she did not report the abuse immediately, fearing disbelief and out of fear for her safety. She told police later that Hartdegen had warned her not to tell anyone, saying, “No-one would believe me. I actually thought nobody is going to believe me. I am just a little girl.”
Hartdegen’s defense team argued that a prison sentence was inevitable given the jury’s findings. However, they requested that his bail be continued until sentencing, pending a background report, as Hartdegen had never previously served time in prison. The prosecution’s advocate depute, David Nicolson, highlighted Hartdegen’s prior convictions, which added weight to the case for a custodial sentence.
Judge Lady Carmichael concluded the hearing by stating, “The position has changed significantly with the finding of the jury and you will be remanded in custody.” Hartdegen is scheduled to be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow, where the full extent of his criminal conduct will be formally addressed and appropriate penalties will be determined.
Hartdegen was brought before the High Court in Glasgow, where Judge Lady Carmichael presided over the case. During the proceedings, she emphasized the gravity of the jury’s verdict, stating, “The jury convicted you of sex offences towards two young girls in the 70s over a significant period.” The court heard harrowing testimony from one of the victims, who recounted how Hartdegen exposed himself to her in his garden shed. She described how he pulled her dress up and, on another occasion, rubbed himself against her, actions that left a lasting impact on her childhood.
Despite denying the allegations, Hartdegen was found guilty of three charges related to lewd, indecent, libidinous practices and behavior involving the two girls. He was acquitted of three other charges, which included indecent assault, indecent exposure, and indecent behavior. The court also noted that Hartdegen had previous convictions from 2017 for indecent exposure and sexual assault, although at that time, he received a non-custodial sentence. The recent convictions mark a significant development in his criminal history.
Following the verdict, Hartdegen was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. In addition to his custodial sentence, he was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register, a measure aimed at monitoring his activities post-release. The judge’s decision underscores the seriousness with which the court views such offences, especially those committed against vulnerable children.
Another woman, who was a young girl at the time of the abuse, provided emotional testimony during the trial. She recounted her childhood visits to Hartdegen’s house in Hawick, where she was asked to take a cup of tea to a shed in the back garden. She revealed that Hartdegen shut the door and exposed himself to her, and on subsequent visits, he pulled her dress up and rubbed himself against her. She admitted that she did not report the abuse immediately, fearing disbelief and out of fear for her safety. She told police later that Hartdegen had warned her not to tell anyone, saying, “No-one would believe me. I actually thought nobody is going to believe me. I am just a little girl.”
Hartdegen’s defense team argued that a prison sentence was inevitable given the jury’s findings. However, they requested that his bail be continued until sentencing, pending a background report, as Hartdegen had never previously served time in prison. The prosecution’s advocate depute, David Nicolson, highlighted Hartdegen’s prior convictions, which added weight to the case for a custodial sentence.
Judge Lady Carmichael concluded the hearing by stating, “The position has changed significantly with the finding of the jury and you will be remanded in custody.” Hartdegen is scheduled to be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow, where the full extent of his criminal conduct will be formally addressed and appropriate penalties will be determined.