WILLIAM JAMES HILL'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN DUNDEE AND BEYOND LEAD TO 3 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS JAIL SENTENCE
A man identified as William James Hill, also known by the alias James Simpson, has been sentenced to a substantial prison term of three years and four months following a series of violent and abusive acts committed against women across several locations in Scotland, including Dundee, Cupar, Forfar, and Airdrie.Hill's criminal conduct involved a disturbing pattern of harassment, physical assault, and controlling behavior that spanned over a period of years.
His actions included stalking a woman via Snapchat, where he persistently sent messages and images, causing her significant fear and distress.
The court heard that Hill's abusive behavior extended to physically attacking three women, two of whom were pregnant at the time of the assaults.
One of Hill’s victims recounted a particularly harrowing incident where she was subjected to a sustained assault while lying on the floor, during which Hill repeatedly struck her.
During this attack, she managed to watch most of an episode of Coronation Street on television, despite being under attack.
The sheriff at Dundee Sheriff Court described Hill as “controlling, violent and abusive,” a characterization that was echoed by the victims and was instrumental in the severity of his sentencing.
The court proceedings revealed that the offenses against two of Hill’s partners only came to light after a third woman, who had been in a relationship with him, reported his behavior to the police.
The first victim, Miss Hutton, recounted that their contact was reestablished in 2007 through social media.
She described an incident from 2008 or 2009 where Hill pushed her onto a sofa and attempted to strangle her with a dressing gown cord.
She explained that Hill flipped the cord over her head, pulled her neck forward, and crossed the ends, applying pressure that made her struggle for breath.
She was able to break free, but the trauma left a lasting impression.
Miss Hutton also described another assault where Hill grabbed her by the hair, pulled her to the ground, and kicked her on both legs.
During this attack, she curled into a ball to protect her head and watched television, recalling that she saw most of an episode of Coronation Street while Hill assaulted her.
She further detailed an incident where Hill forcibly pressed a pillow onto her face, shouting at her to “shut up,” causing her to struggle for air and feel terrified.
In September 2009, Miss Hutton discovered she was pregnant.
However, when she was eight weeks pregnant, Hill assaulted her again.
He returned home from a night out, pulled her out of bed by her hair, and kicked her legs with full force before returning to bed without any apology or explanation.
The second woman, Charlene Tonner, aged 33, became pregnant approximately two months into her relationship with Hill in 2006.
She recounted that while working at the Shell Garage in Forfar, she asked him to bring her a change of clothes and perfume.
Hill responded angrily, shouting at her for smoking while pregnant, and then threw the items at her.
He then pushed her from behind down a few steps onto some boxes, with her instinctively protecting her stomach.
The third woman, Leanne Rumgay, also aged 33, was in a relationship with Hill from June to December 2013.
She was assaulted twice by him during this period.
Police had warned her not to contact Hill after she expressed her desire to cease all communication.
Despite this, Hill sent her a Snapchat message on July 11, 2014, suggesting they be friends.
When she ignored the message, he sent her a photo of his face.
Alarmed and fearful, Rumgay reported these messages to the police.
William James Hill, aged 34 and currently detained at HMP Perth, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault and one count of stalking.
The sheriff, Alistair Carmichael, sentenced him to three years and four months in prison, emphasizing the lengthy period over which Hill’s controlling, violent, and abusive behavior persisted.
The sheriff acknowledged Hill’s remorse and his acknowledgment of the need to address his conduct, which contributed to the decision to impose the sentence.
Following the sentencing, Leanne Rumgay expressed her relief and satisfaction with the outcome via Facebook, stating, “It may not be enough in some people’s eyes but I am over the moon with the outcome.” The case highlights the serious nature of domestic abuse and stalking, and the court’s recognition of the harm inflicted by Hill’s actions across multiple victims and locations.
