WILLIAM CROWTHER SENTENCED IN GLASGOW FOR RAPE OFFENSES
At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Harrower delivered a stern judgment against William Crowther, sentencing him to a substantial prison term of six years and four months.This sentence followed Crowther’s guilty plea to a single charge of rape, a plea that was entered on the first day of a re-fixed trial diet.
The court also ordered that Crowther be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, under the notification requirements stipulated by the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
During the sentencing hearing, Lord Harrower provided a detailed account of the case, highlighting the procedural history and the circumstances leading to Crowther’s conviction.
The trial had initially commenced on the Monday of that week, but due to unforeseen developments, the Crown’s case was temporarily halted on the Tuesday, necessitating a new trial date.
Just before the ballot for the new trial, Crowther tendered a guilty plea, which was accepted by the Crown, with the exception of a specific allegation involving abuse of his partner or former partner, which was to be deleted from the indictment.
The judge noted that Crowther and the complainant had known each other for several years, with a relationship that had ended prior to the incident.
Despite the breakup, the complainant still regarded Crowther as her best friend and felt safe around him.
The incident in question occurred on 6 May 2022, in Knockengorroch, where the complainant was staying in her caravan after injuring her foot the night before.
Crowther had provided her with medication and she had planned to rest until after lunch.
She sent a light-hearted text to Crowther about ducking under the windows to avoid workmen passing by, then fell asleep watching television.
However, the court found that Crowther exploited this opportunity to enter her caravan, wake her up, and engage in sexual intercourse without her consent.
The complainant’s account was robustly supported during cross-examination, and the court ultimately accepted her version of events, emphasizing that it was obvious she did not consent.
She was described as terrified and crying during the assault.
After Crowther finished, he apologized, but she told him to leave, recalling him laughing as he departed.
In subsequent text messages, she expressed anger at his failure to accept responsibility, and Crowther eventually admitted in messages that he had not stopped when she said “no” and acknowledged that he had “taken advantage” of her.
William Crowther, now 40 years old, has a criminal history that includes recent convictions for driving while disqualified and uninsured, along with various other convictions dating from 1997 to 2008.
Despite never having served a custodial sentence before, the court determined that only a significant prison term was appropriate for this serious offense.
The social work report presented a mixed risk assessment, indicating a low to moderate risk of reoffending, depending on the assessment tool used.
The court acknowledged that Crowther’s guilty plea spared the complainant from further trauma of giving evidence and prevented the Crown from presenting its full case, which had already been largely outlined.
Nevertheless, the court recognized the profound impact on the victim, especially given Crowther’s initial denial and subsequent refusal to fully accept responsibility.
The victim’s statement revealed that her trust in Crowther was shattered, leading to a deepening psychological decline.
The judge noted that Crowther’s actions—committing the rape and then lying about it—had caused significant harm.
While some credit was given for his plea, it was considered minimal, amounting to only one twentieth of the sentence that might have otherwise been imposed.
In conclusion, William Crowther was sentenced to six years and four months in prison, with the sentence backdated to 15 January 2025, the date he was remanded in custody.
He will remain subject to the sexual offender notification requirements indefinitely.
Additionally, a non-harassment order was imposed, prohibiting him from approaching, contacting, or attempting to contact the complainant for an indefinite period, ensuring her protection from further harm.
