SAMANTHA CRAWFORD AND MICHAEL CUMMINS FROM KIRKCALDY SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE CASE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Kirkcaldy in Fife, a man and a woman have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse and physical assault of young children, including a one-year-old girl. The offenders, Samantha Crawford and Michael Cummins, were responsible for a series of brutal acts that spanned several years and involved multiple victims.

According to court proceedings, Crawford and Cummins, who were once married but divorced in 2022, engaged in a pattern of abuse that targeted children aged between three and seven. Their crimes took place over a period from 2014 to 2018, during which they subjected the children to repeated sexual assaults and physical violence. The youngest victim, a one-year-old girl, was raped on multiple occasions, with the abuse involving both offenders. The two older boys, aged seven and three at the time, were coerced into participating in the assaults against their will, with Crawford and Cummins forcing them to take part in the abuse of the infant.

The court heard that the offenders also sexually and physically assaulted a fourth child, a boy born in 2014. During the trial, it was revealed that Crawford and Cummins had instructed the children not to disclose what had happened to anyone, using the phrase “zip it, lock it, put it in your pocket” as a means of silencing them and preventing any reports of the abuse from being made.

Both Crawford and Cummins denied any wrongdoing during the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, which lasted for a week and a half. However, after considering the evidence, the jury found them guilty of multiple charges. The judge, Lord Harrower, described their conduct as “extreme” and emphasized that neither of them had shown any remorse for their actions. The verdict was delivered after the court had deferred sentencing to allow for background reports to be prepared.

In sentencing, Lord Harrower imposed a 10-year prison term on Samantha Crawford, who was visibly emotional and began crying when the verdict was announced. Michael Cummins received a longer sentence of 14 years, remaining stoic throughout the proceedings. The judge also ordered both offenders to be placed on the sex offenders register for life. Upon their release, Crawford will be supervised for three years, while Cummins will be supervised for four years.

Addressing the severity of their crimes, Lord Harrower stated, “Your offending must be categorised as extreme. The impact of your offending on these children will be devastating.” He further criticized the offenders for their lack of responsibility and remorse, highlighting the profound and lasting harm inflicted on the young victims. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the crimes committed in Kirkcaldy and the community’s need for justice and protection for vulnerable children.