STEPHEN CHARTERS FROM GALASHIELS SENTENCED AFTER SHOCKING SEX OFFENSES IN EDINBURGH AND BEYOND

In a tragic and disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Scottish Borders and Edinburgh, Stephen Charters, a man with a long history of sexual offenses, has been sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction for a series of heinous crimes. His body was discovered in June 2022 at the Hermiston Hall within Saughton prison in Edinburgh, marking a grim end to a life marred by violence and abuse.

Charters, aged 57, was a former worship leader from Fife who had a notorious reputation for preying on vulnerable women and girls over several decades. His criminal activities spanned from the late 1970s through to 2015, with convictions for multiple sexual offenses, including rape, sexual assault, and indecent conduct involving four victims. The court heard that his offending began when he was just a teenager, with his first known victim being an 11-year-old girl when he was approximately 13 or 14 years old. Over the years, he continued to commit acts of sexual violence across various locations, including the Borders, South Lanarkshire, and Midlothian.

In the most recent case, Charters was found guilty of nine separate offenses committed between November 1984 and October 2015. These included rape, sexual assault, and indecent conduct, with the victims ranging from young children to teenagers. His criminal record also includes a prior five-year jail sentence handed down in 2016 for sex crimes against children. Despite this, he maintained his innocence during the trial, claiming that his sexual encounters with a teenage girl in Edinburgh hotels were consensual. The victim, however, described her experience as deeply traumatic, stating that she felt frozen and helpless during the assault, which left her feeling horrible inside.

During the court proceedings, Charters, who was formerly based in Galashiels, explained that he held Christian beliefs and was involved with the church in Edinburgh as a young adult. He stated that he was involved with a Baptist church in Edinburgh in 1984 and had become a Christian several years prior. The girl he assaulted in the hotels had attended a church in Leven, where he served as a worship leader. The victim recounted that she had been facing personal difficulties, including an argument with her boyfriend and issues with her accommodation, which led her to contact Charters via social media. He responded by going to pick her up, claiming he wanted to help her by contacting her father and taking her home.

However, instead of offering assistance, Charters booked into a hotel and subjected her to sexual acts, culminating in rape. The victim described the ordeal as a horrifying experience, saying, “It is hard to describe it when a guy forces himself on you. It was like he couldn’t get enough of me. I was just frozen. I couldn’t move. I got pushed onto the bed. I was hoping he was going to leave me alone.” Prosecutor Steven Borthwick emphasized that her cry for help was genuine, and Charters admitted that he went over to help her because she had no accommodation and was scared. His actions, however, betrayed her trust and resulted in a brutal assault.

Following his conviction, Charters was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes. The court also highlighted that his risk of reoffending remains high, and he presents a significant danger to the public. Judge Lady Carmichael, presiding over the case at the High Court in Edinburgh, imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) on Charters, with a minimum term of five years before he could be considered for parole. The judge clarified that this minimum term does not guarantee release, as parole decisions will depend on whether authorities determine that his continued imprisonment is necessary for public safety.

Throughout the proceedings, the defense, led by Mark Stewart QC, argued that Charters maintained his innocence. The court reviewed background and expert reports, which confirmed that he remains a high risk for future sexual offenses, including violence. The judge acknowledged that Charters’ offending spanned many years and caused lasting harm to his victims. She noted that his early offenses began when he was a child himself, with reports indicating he molested a girl at age 12 and raped an 11-year-old when he was around 13 or 14. His criminal activities also included molestation of a girl aged nine, and abuse of other young victims at various locations, including the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh.

In addition to his recent convictions, Charters’ past was marked by a series of sexual crimes dating back to the late 1970s. He worked as a bus driver during much of this period, including routes that involved transporting children to school. His history reveals a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior, with victims as young as four years old. His earlier crimes involved molestation, inappropriate remarks, and acts of sexual violence, which he has consistently denied, showing no remorse or understanding of the impact on his victims. The court described him as being in complete denial about his actions, with little recognition of the harm caused.

Charters’ case is a stark reminder of the long-lasting effects of sexual abuse and the importance of rigorous legal measures to protect society from repeat offenders. His death in June 2022 at Saughton prison marks a tragic chapter in a life defined by violence and exploitation, leaving behind a trail of victims and a community grappling with the aftermath of his crimes.