RODERICK PETER FROM TILLICOULTRY SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN EDINBURGH

In a case that has shocked the community of Tillicoultry and the wider Stirling area, Roderick Peter, aged 44, was convicted of heinous crimes involving a young girl and was subsequently sentenced to a lengthy prison term. The proceedings took place at the High Court in Edinburgh, where the details of his disturbing actions were laid bare.

Roderick Peter, a former soldier residing on High Street in Tillicoultry, was found guilty of multiple serious offenses, including the rape of a girl who was just 15 years old at the time. The court heard that Peter had committed these acts on two separate occasions, once in December 2001 and again on May 2, 2002, when the girl was 16. The first assault involved coercing the girl into sex, while the second was a more violent incident where he forced her to the floor, pulled off her pyjama trousers, and raped her again.

Furthermore, evidence revealed that Peter had downloaded child pornography while awaiting trial for these sex offenses. He also defied his bail conditions by visiting the Perth house where the girl was staying and sending her text messages, actions that demonstrated a blatant disregard for the legal restrictions placed upon him.

During the trial, the girl testified that Peter had forced her into sex in December 2001, and later, in July 2002, he continued to harass her through text messages. The court also learned that Peter attempted to cover up his crimes by washing blood-stained clothing belonging to the girl, a move that was seen as an effort to destroy vital evidence. Additionally, he tried to enlist someone else to delete the child pornography he had downloaded, further illustrating his attempt to obstruct justice.

Despite his defense team’s plea for leniency, citing a severe spine condition that now affects him, the judge, Lady Smith, emphasized the gravity of Peter’s crimes. She described him as a “medium to high” risk of reoffending and made it clear that he was fully aware of the seriousness of his actions. As a result, she ordered that Peter be subjected to close supervision for three years following his release from prison. If he commits any further offenses during this period, he faces immediate imprisonment.

In addition to his prison sentence, Roderick Peter was also convicted of two breaches of bail conditions, highlighting his continued defiance of the law. The sentencing marks a significant moment in the fight against child exploitation and sexual offenses, sending a strong message that such crimes will be met with severe consequences, regardless of the offender’s background or circumstances.