RUSSELL MAITLAND ABERDEENSHIRE PRISON OFFICER SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS IN PETERHEAD AND ABERDEEN

A man described as a 'depraved' former prison officer, Russell Maitland, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after admitting to heinous sexual offenses involving young girls in the north-east of Scotland. Maitland, aged 37, committed these grave crimes in the towns of Peterhead and Aberdeen, with his actions spanning several years and involving multiple victims.

In a case that has shocked the local community, Maitland pleaded guilty to a series of serious charges, including the rape of a girl under the age of 13 and multiple sexual assaults. The offences against the first girl occurred when she was between 4 and 12 years old, with Maitland repeatedly subjecting her to sexual violence, including oral and vaginal rape on several occasions when she was between 7 and 11. The second victim, a girl aged between 4 and 6, was also subjected to repeated sexual penetration by Maitland.

The sentencing took place at the High Court in Aberdeen, where Judge Summers delivered a stern judgment. Maitland was sentenced to an extended term of 16 years, with a custodial period of 13 years and an additional three years under supervised release in the community. The judge emphasized the gravity of the crimes, noting that the offences against the second girl continued even after she had reported the abuse involving the first victim, highlighting the offender’s disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

During the hearing, the judge acknowledged the courage of the victims who came forward to give evidence, recognizing their strength in seeking justice despite the profound impact the abuse has had on their lives. The court considered victim impact statements from both girls, which detailed the ongoing emotional and psychological struggles they face as a result of Maitland’s actions.

In his remarks, Judge Summers expressed concern over Maitland’s background, including issues from his childhood and his employment history. While Maitland accepted responsibility for his crimes, he denied any sexual attraction to children, claiming that his offending was driven by a need for danger and excitement—an assertion the court found difficult to accept. The court also noted that Maitland’s risk of reoffending remains moderate, and that he might respond to intervention, but the potential for future harm remains significant.

Although Maitland had prior convictions, none were as serious as the current charges, and the court chose to give little weight to his previous record. It was also noted that he had never served a custodial sentence before. The judge highlighted the aggravating factors of the case, including Maitland’s position of trust and the persistent, calculated, and predatory nature of his offending over several years. The crimes were described as almost unimaginably depraved, with the harm inflicted on the victims being profound and far-reaching.

Given the severity and the number of charges, the court imposed a cumulative sentence to avoid excessive punishment that would result from consecutive sentences. The judge explained that if each charge were sentenced separately and added together, the total would be excessively harsh. Instead, a combined sentence was deemed appropriate, with the most serious charges resulting in an extended sentence of 16 years, consisting of 13 years in custody followed by three years on license. The license conditions will be set by the Scottish Ministers, and breach of these conditions could lead to revocation and re-imprisonment.

Additionally, Maitland received a three-month sentence for a lesser charge, to run concurrently with the main sentence. He has also been placed under indefinite notification requirements, meaning he must adhere to strict registration and reporting obligations. The court granted non-harassment orders preventing Maitland from approaching or contacting the victims for an indefinite period, further protecting the victims from any potential harm.

In conclusion, the court’s decision reflects the seriousness of Maitland’s crimes, the need for public protection, and society’s strong disapproval of sexual offenses against children. The lengthy custodial sentence underscores the gravity of the harm inflicted and the court’s commitment to justice for the victims in Aberdeenshire and beyond.