WILLIAM MAILER'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN EDINBURGH AND FALKIRK: A LONG HISTORY OF ABUSE ENDS IN DEATH IN PRISON

In a tragic development, William Mailer, a man with a notorious history of sexual offenses against underage girls, has died while serving his prison sentence. Mailer, aged 71 and originally from Falkirk, passed away at HMP Edinburgh, according to the Scottish Prison Service. The authorities confirmed that police have been notified of his death, and the matter will be formally reported to the procurator fiscal. Next of kin have already been informed, and a fatal accident inquiry is expected to be scheduled in due course.

Mailer’s criminal activities span several decades, with his crimes dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. His conviction and sentencing came after a lengthy legal process that revealed the extent of his abuse. In October 2014, the High Court in Edinburgh sentenced him to eight years in prison for multiple counts of rape and indecent assault committed against young girls. The court heard that the abuse occurred when Mailer was in his 30s and 40s, with his victims ranging in age from 11 to 13 years old.

During the trial, the court was presented with harrowing victim impact statements that underscored the lasting scars inflicted by Mailer’s actions. Lord Glennie, presiding over the case, remarked on the profound and enduring damage caused, stating, “They still show the scars even today.” As part of his sentence, Mailer was also placed on the sex offender register indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

Prior to his conviction, Mailer had denied six charges of indecent assault and rape, but the evidence presented in court proved his guilt on all counts. His first known victim was a girl aged 12 or 13, whom he attacked in a car at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, after giving her alcohol. Between 1976 and 1978, Mailer exposed himself, grabbed her by the neck, and attempted to coerce her into performing a sexual act. He later assaulted her again and tried to rape her at his residence on Woodburn Street in Dalkeith, Midlothian. During this incident, she was pushed into a bedroom and assaulted after she went to retrieve her school bag, which Mailer had kept from the initial attack.

In the same period, Mailer also raped another girl aged 11 or 12 at his Dalkeith home. She was intoxicated after being given alcohol, and while she was asleep, he removed her clothing and engaged in sexual acts with her. Despite her waking, he continued the assault. The 1980s saw Mailer’s predatory behavior continue, with a woman now aged 42 testifying that Mailer, whom she described as a “touchy, touchy, feely, feely person,” had sexually abused her during visits to Scotland from her home in England. She recounted that Mailer had taken her to Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, where he carried out further abuse, including other sex acts, and had made her feel special and loved, manipulative tactics that she believed at the time.

She also described an incident in Portobello, where Mailer took her and other children, told the others to get out of the car to pick flowers, and then forced her to perform a sex act on him. She expressed feelings of guilt and shame upon realizing the wrongfulness of his actions, which she said stopped when she was 13. The woman’s testimony highlighted the long-lasting emotional scars left by Mailer’s abuse, affecting her ability to maintain relationships in adulthood.

In August 2014, Mailer’s criminal record was further scrutinized when he was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow of similar offenses. The court heard that he had subjected three girls to sexual abuse over a span of more than 20 years. His victims included girls he had assaulted in Edinburgh and Dalkeith, with the abuse involving alcohol, indecent assault, and repeated rapes. The court was told that Mailer, who worked as a milkman or delivery driver, had a pattern of grooming and exploiting young girls, often luring them with promises of affection and manipulating their trust.

Throughout the proceedings, Mailer maintained his innocence, denying all charges. However, the evidence was overwhelming, and he was convicted on all counts. His defense argued that he suffered from poor health, including a heart condition, and expressed concern about the impact of a custodial sentence on his remaining years. Despite this, the court emphasized the gravity of his crimes and the need for justice.

Judge Lord Glennie acknowledged the harrowing nature of the case and the suffering endured by the victims. He deferred sentencing and ordered Mailer to be placed on the sex offenders’ register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct. The case has left a lasting mark on the communities of Edinburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, and Falkirk, where Mailer’s heinous acts have been remembered as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable children from predatory individuals.