KILMARNOCK PAEDOPHILE THOMAS CRAWFORD RULED INSANE AFTER YEARS OF ABUSE
A man from Kilmarnock, Thomas Crawford of St Maurs Crescent, committed sexual abuse over an eight-year span, beginning when his first victim was only six years old.He also abused another girl, who was just eight at the time.
Crawford was initially scheduled to face trial on three charges related to lewd, indecent, and libidinous behavior.
However, after psychiatric and psychological evaluations, a sheriff declared him legally insane and unfit to stand trial.
This week, Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane oversaw a hearing to establish whether Crawford had committed the alleged offenses.
The court heard from a woman now 24, who recounted numerous incidents, some nearly two decades old.
She described how Crawford had assaulted her multiple times, including an incident when he pinned her to a bed and pulled down her pajamas at around age six or seven.
On another occasion, he had attempted to get her to touch him, instructing her, “On you go, just touch it,” while he held her with one hand and pulled down his pants with the other.
Although she disclosed the abuse to a relative at age 11, she only reported it to police three years ago.
Another young woman, 19, testified that when she was about eight, Crawford asked her to sit on his knee, during which he touched her with his fingers.
She expressed her frustration, saying, “He should be able to tell the truth, instead of putting people through this.” Sheriff McFarlane told Crawford, “Given the evidence—very clear and credible—I have no difficulty in concluding that you committed these acts.” The hearing was adjourned until September 22, and additional psychiatric evaluations were ordered.
Crawford was subsequently listed on the sex offenders register.
