SHAUN SCOTT FROM LOCKERBIE SENTENCED AFTER RAPE AND ABUSE IN DUMFRIESHIRE

In March 2019, Shaun Scott, a 23-year-old man from Lockerbie, was sentenced to prison following a series of heinous crimes involving sexual assault and abuse. The case, which was heard at the High Court in Glasgow, revealed a disturbing pattern of violence and cruelty inflicted upon two women, one of whom was just 16 years old at the time of the abuse.

Scott's most recent assault took place in October 2017 at an address in Dumfriesshire. The victim recounted her ordeal, describing how Scott attacked her twice during the incident. She told the court, “When it happened I was screaming the place down and saying no,” highlighting the terror and helplessness she experienced during the assault. The court heard that Scott had raped this woman on two separate occasions in Sanquhar in 2017, further compounding his criminal record.

In addition to these recent crimes, Scott was found guilty of a series of rapes committed against another woman when she was only 16 years old. These assaults occurred on multiple occasions between March 2011 and February 2012, spanning over a year. The second victim described how Scott would burn her with cigarettes and call her degrading names such as “slapper” and “whore,” illustrating a pattern of emotional and physical abuse that extended over a significant period.

During the trial, the victims demonstrated remarkable courage in coming forward, and Judge Tom Hughes acknowledged their bravery. He stated, “They had the courage to come to court and they hopefully ensured you will not be able to do this to any future partner. Hopefully they can put this behind them and move on in the future.” The judge’s words underscored the importance of victims speaking out and the justice system’s role in holding offenders accountable.

The 20-year-old woman, who had been in a relationship with Scott, provided poignant testimony. She revealed that she had sent him a text message stating, “There’s nothing between us now. Clearly you don’t force someone u ‘love’ to have sex TWICE. There’s a word for that – rape.” Scott responded with a text saying, “I am really sorry a am, honestly man,” attempting to downplay his actions.

During his defense, Scott denied the allegations of rape, claiming that he was only apologizing for pushing the woman over. He stated, “I struggle with reading and writing and I didn’t see the word rape in the text,” suggesting a misunderstanding rather than guilt.

Ultimately, Shaun Scott was sentenced to seven years in prison. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register and ordered to undergo two years of community supervision following his release. The court’s decision reflects the severity of his crimes and the ongoing concern for public safety in Lockerbie and the wider Dumfriesshire area.