EDINBURGH PREDATOR WILLIAM LOTHIAN: EX-FOOTBALL COACH'S SHOCKING ABUSE IN THE CAPITAL
In May 2021, the tragic news emerged that William Lothian, a former football coach from Edinburgh, was found dead within the confines of HMP Edinburgh, just four days after being incarcerated.His death marked a grim end to a case that had shocked the local community and brought to light the disturbing abuse he inflicted on young boys under his care.
William Lothian, aged 66, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual exploitation of young boys, some as young as 11 and others up to 14 years old.
The allegations detailed a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned several years, primarily during his tenure as a coach for a boys’ football club in Edinburgh.
The court proceedings revealed that Lothian would invite his young victims to stay overnight at his residence in Edinburgh, where he exploited their trust and vulnerability.
During these visits, Lothian would often provide alcohol to the boys, including beer and Bacardi, creating an environment conducive to his abuse.
The victims, now adults in their 30s, recounted how he would show them pornographic movies on his television, and then proceed to sexually assault them while they were in a semi-conscious state or asleep.
One particularly harrowing account described a boy who was so terrified when Lothian jumped into his bed and pressed his penis against him that he fled the house in the middle of the night, fleeing from the terrifying ordeal.
The court heard that Lothian’s abuse was not limited to overnight stays.
During weekly training sessions at a school hall in Edinburgh, he engaged in inappropriate physical contact with the young players.
Witnesses testified that he would often grab their testicles and, on occasion, place his finger near their anus, actions that became disturbingly routine during training.
One victim described how Lothian would jokingly touch their private parts and sometimes put his finger up their bums, framing these acts as harmless fun or a game, which only served to normalize the abuse.
The trial, which lasted five days at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, saw seven victims bravely come forward to give evidence against Lothian.
They detailed how he would invite two of them to stay over at his home when they were between 10 and 12 years old.
During these visits, the boys recounted drinking alcohol with Lothian in a converted attic, and then lying on the floor while pornography was played on the TV.
One victim described how Lothian would lie in the middle of them and rub their nipples, with the alcohol making them feel tired and disoriented.
The same victim also recounted how Lothian had his hands down his shorts, touching his privates while he was half asleep, an incident he tried to block out at the time but which has had a lasting impact on his life.
Another survivor, who was around 13 at the time, recounted a similar experience at Lothian’s home following a Player of the Year presentation night.
He described how Lothian, a resident of Muirhouse in Edinburgh, gave him beer before climbing into bed and molesting him.
The victim explained that he could feel Lothian’s penis on his leg and that his hand traveled down towards his boxers.
He managed to shrug him off and fell asleep on the floor with a pillow, only to wake hours later and sneak out of the house while it was still dark.
Despite the overwhelming evidence and the testimonies of the victims, Lothian maintained his innocence, denying all 14 allegations brought against him.
However, the jury found him guilty of all charges.
During sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff Chris Dickson emphasized the betrayal of trust involved in Lothian’s actions.
He pointed out that Lothian, known to the children as “Bill,” had exploited his position as a coach and a trusted adult, thereby robbing the victims of their childhood innocence and causing them significant psychological harm.
Sheriff Dickson highlighted the long-lasting impact of the abuse, stating that it would be a “difficult if not impossible and lifelong” struggle for the survivors to cope with what they endured.
The court also revealed that Lothian had attempted to take his own life following his trial, a tragic indication of his state of mind amid the proceedings.
In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Dickson noted that Lothian’s actions had tarnished the love of football and the team spirit that the victims once cherished.
He described Lothian’s breach of trust as “very clear” and expressed his disapproval of the defendant’s continued denial despite the “compelling evidence” presented by the victims.
As part of his sentence, Lothian was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register, and the court deferred sentencing, leaving open the possibility of further penalties.
Relatives of Lothian have indicated their intention to visit him in prison, reflecting the ongoing personal and legal ramifications of his actions.
The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and the devastating consequences when trust is betrayed by those in positions of authority.
