WILLIAM LITTLE, AYR'S MOST NOTORIOUS PAEDOPHILE, DIES OF NATURAL CAUSES IN PETERHEAD PRISON

In a tragic conclusion to a long and disturbing criminal history, William Little, a notorious paedophile from Ayr, passed away at the age of 79 while incarcerated at Peterhead Prison. The sheriff's court in Peterhead confirmed that Little's death was due to natural causes, despite his refusal to accept medical treatment during his final days.

William Little, a married man and father of one, had a well-documented history of serious sexual offenses spanning several decades. His health deteriorated significantly while he was serving a lengthy sentence, and he became seriously ill after complaining of persistent leg pains. The circumstances surrounding his death were scrutinized during an inquiry held at Peterhead Sheriff Court.

According to the inquiry, Little was initially taken to a local general practitioner (GP) when his condition worsened. However, he refused to undergo blood tests or any further examinations. Despite his refusal, medical staff at Peterhead Prison continued to monitor his condition. His health issues persisted, and staff observed that the little toe on his left foot had become necrotic, indicating severe tissue death.

Little was subsequently transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for assessment. However, medical professionals deemed him too unfit for surgery due to his fragile health. He was then moved to the Summers Ward at Peterhead Community Hospital, where he continued to refuse any form of treatment. The inquiry revealed that doctors had to administer medication via syringes because Little refused to take tablets voluntarily.

William Little died just after midnight on September 27, 2009. The sheriff, Gregor Murray, issued a written determination stating that the cause of death was bronchopneumonia, a lung infection often associated with weakened immune systems. The sheriff also noted that Little had a history of peripheral vascular disease, which contributed to his declining health. Despite receiving appropriate care and medication, his condition gradually worsened, ultimately leading to his death.

Little's criminal record was extensive. In 2002, he was sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of raping and sexually abusing three children. His previous convictions included a jail term in 1999 for molesting a six-year-old girl. At the time of his death, he was serving a 31-month sentence for the rape of a young girl.

His crimes in the 1970s involved brutal abuse at a house in Ayr, where he would beat his victims—two sisters and their brother—before forcing them into depraved acts. The details of his abuse came to light during his trial at the High Court in Kilmarnock in 2002, where jurors learned of his repeated assaults and violent behavior. The victims, now adults, recounted their suffering, with one victim, now 37, describing how he was raped repeatedly, and his sister, aged 35, revealing she had recently confided in a friend about the abuse but felt too embarrassed to report it to the police.

William Little's criminal activities and subsequent imprisonment highlight a dark chapter in Scotland's history of sexual offenses, and his death marks the end of a notorious figure whose actions left a lasting scar on his victims and the community of Ayr.