SCOTT WALKER FROM BATHGATE SENTENCED FOR SEX ATTACK IN WEST LOTHIAN PARK

In December 2003, a young girl from Bathgate recounted the harrowing details of a brutal sexual assault that shattered her sense of safety and left her emotionally scarred. The incident occurred in a local park in West Lothian, where the 14-year-old girl was targeted by 18-year-old Scott Walker.

According to her testimony, Walker ambushed her as she was walking home through the park, suddenly grabbing her and dragging her into the nearby bushes. The girl described how Walker threatened her life, warning her that he would kill her if she screamed or resisted. The assault was so violent and traumatic that she lost consciousness during the attack.

Walker’s actions left her physically and emotionally devastated. She was so overwhelmed by the experience that she refused to undergo a medical examination immediately afterward, feeling too traumatized to face the ordeal. She later expressed feelings of dirtiness and shame, revealing how deeply the attack affected her mental health. Despite ongoing counseling sessions nine months after the incident, she admitted to feeling frightened and anxious about her future.

The girl shared that her fear has limited her activities, confining her to her home and restricting her from venturing far from her residence. Her family has also been deeply affected by the incident, but they are trying to support her and move forward. She expressed relief that her attacker, Scott Walker, was now behind bars, stating, “I am that happy he is in prison and not on the streets on the loose.”

Law enforcement officials praised the outcome of the case. Detective Sergeant Scott Young, who led the investigation, expressed satisfaction with the sentencing, saying, “I’m delighted to get a result on this case for the victim and her family.” He added that he hoped the conviction would help bring closure to the traumatic period they endured and enable them to begin healing.

The police investigation was thorough. Detectives were able to identify Walker through DNA evidence—saliva traces found on a button on the girl’s trousers, which Walker had attempted to bite off during the assault. A witness, prompted by a media appeal, remembered seeing Walker riding his bicycle in the area, which helped lead to his arrest.

Walker was subsequently charged and appeared in Glasgow High Court, where he pleaded guilty to attempting to rape the girl. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and was ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register. The court also ordered that Walker, of Race Road, Bathgate, be supervised in the community for three years following his release.

During the court proceedings, the judge, Lord Philip, acknowledged the severity of Walker’s actions. He described the assault as a “terrible offence” committed against a defenseless 14-year-old girl. The judge emphasized the importance of a custodial sentence to reflect the gravity of the crime and to serve as a warning to others. Walker’s plea of not guilty to a charge of stamping on the girl’s neck was accepted by the Crown.

The court also heard from medical professionals who examined the victim shortly after the attack. One doctor noted in her report that the girl appeared “very withdrawn, frightened and whimpering in pain,” highlighting the profound impact the assault had on her. The case has left a lasting impression on the community of Bathgate and underscores the importance of justice in such serious cases.