SCOTT FORBES FROM BONNYRIGG EDINBURGH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST TEENAGERS

In August 2018, a man with a military background, Scott Forbes, was handed a significant prison sentence after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences involving teenage girls in the regions of Edinburgh and Midlothian. The case drew considerable attention due to the nature of the crimes and the locations involved.

Scott Forbes, a resident of Edinburgh, was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl at a property in Gilmerton. The assault took place within the last year, and the court heard evidence linking him directly to this heinous act. In addition to this, Forbes was also found guilty of committing a similar sexual attack on another 14-year-old girl, this time in the Firrhill area. These offences spanned a period from 2009 up until May of the previous year, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior over nearly a decade.

Further charges against Forbes included the possession and creation of indecent images of children, which added to the severity of his crimes. The court also heard that Forbes used a hidden camera to secretly film a teenage girl as she undressed in her home located in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, without her knowledge or consent. This particular offence highlighted the disturbing lengths to which Forbes went to satisfy his illicit interests.

At the High Court of Edinburgh, the 49-year-old was sentenced to nine years in prison. The judge, Lord Woolman, emphasized the profound impact of Forbes’ actions, stating, “You have altered the course of their lives.” The court also registered Forbes as an indefinite sex offender, meaning he will remain on the sex offenders’ register for an unspecified, extended period. The judge’s remarks underscored the gravity of the crimes and the threat posed by Forbes’ predatory conduct.

Lord Woolman further described Forbes’ offending as indicative of a sexual predator, reinforcing the seriousness of his violations. The court’s decision reflects a firm stance against such criminal behavior, aiming to protect the community and prevent further harm. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in addressing sexual offences, especially those involving vulnerable minors in the Edinburgh and Midlothian areas.