STUART COWIE EXTRADITED FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO EDINBURGH FACING SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES ON 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In a case that has shocked the community in Edinburgh, Stuart Cowie, a 75-year-old man, was brought back from South Africa to face serious allegations of sexual assault involving a young girl.The incident, which took place in October 2012, came to light after Cowie was extradited to the UK to stand trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
According to court proceedings, Cowie admitted to the assault, which occurred during his visit to Edinburgh along with his wife, Margaret.
The couple had traveled from their residence in South Africa and arrived in Edinburgh just ten days before the incident.
They were staying with the girl’s parents at the time.
The court was informed that on the evening of October 7, 2012, around 5:30 pm, Cowie was sitting in the television room with the six-year-old girl.
The court heard that Cowie, while seated on the sofa with the child, placed his hand down her trousers inappropriately.
The situation escalated when Cowie exposed himself to the young girl, an act that was witnessed by his wife, Margaret.
It was reported that Margaret Cowie entered the room unexpectedly and saw her husband with his trousers unzipped, which prompted her to ask the girl to leave the room.
Following this, she confronted her husband about what she had seen, telling him she had observed his open zipper.
Cowie responded dismissively, claiming she was “talking nonsense.” Meanwhile, the girl’s mother, passing by the room, overheard the argument.
She heard Margaret Cowie say, “I saw you with your zip down while the girl was there,” which prompted her to confront Cowie directly about the incident.
Cowie responded to her with a remorseful statement, saying, “I don’t know what came over me – I just started fooling around.” As a result of these events, Cowie was expelled from the family’s home and subsequently fled back to South Africa.
The court was also informed that Cowie had sent two letters to the family, in which he expressed deep remorse and begged for forgiveness, describing his behavior as “inexcusable” and stating that he was “deeply ashamed” of his actions.
In sentencing, Sheriff Kenneth McGowan fined Cowie £2,000 for the abuse and ordered him to be registered as a sex offender for a period of five years.
The case has garnered significant attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the international aspect of Cowie’s extradition from South Africa to face justice in Edinburgh.
