WILLIAM MAXWELL FROM AIRDRIE SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IN ROSS-SHIRE

In a case that has shocked the community, William Maxwell, a 20-year-old art student from Airdrie, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of heinous crimes involving two young girls from a small Ross-shire village. The offences, which spanned several years, included the rape of an 11-year-old girl and the indecent assault of her younger sister, who was only six or seven years old at the time.

Maxwell pled guilty to these serious charges during his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. The court heard that he had engaged in a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse, which included tying up the younger girl and indecently touching her, as well as drawing nude pictures of the older girl. The court was also informed that Maxwell had given the children presents such as computer games, toys, dresses, and a paint set following the assaults, seemingly to manipulate or silence them.

Lord Hardie, presiding over the case, sentenced Maxwell to a total of 12 years in prison, with an initial seven years to be served behind bars and an additional five years on licence after his release. The judge ordered Maxwell to register as a sex offender for life, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. In his remarks, Lord Hardie stated, “This offence involves the sex abuse of two young sisters when they were aged between ten and 13, and six and seven, respectively. One charge involved the rape of the older girl when she was probably 11 and you were probably 17. The sexual assault on the younger sister when she was six or seven, which included tying her up, is particularly serious. There is an added sinister element in that you sought to corrupt the girls by giving them presents.”

He also reflected on the severity of the case, mentioning that he had initially considered a life sentence but was persuaded to impose a fixed-term sentence instead. Maxwell’s background was outlined, revealing that he resided on Nicol Street in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, and had admitted his guilt early on, cooperating with authorities. The court was told that Maxwell, who was studying at Inverness College and working part-time at a computer shop, had become friendly with the girls’ older brother. The family had permitted him to paint pictures of the girls as part of his art course, unaware that he was also drawing nude images of the older sister.

According to the prosecution, Maxwell’s disturbing behavior escalated to indecent touching and rape. The older girl asked him to stop, which he did, but he then proceeded to abuse her younger sister, tying her hands with a shoelace and indecently touching her. Both children received presents after each episode of abuse, which added a sinister element to Maxwell’s actions. The abuse was uncovered when the younger girl confided in her grandmother about the indecency, prompting the police to investigate. Maxwell voluntarily confessed to the crimes, expressing relief that the abuse had ended and asking for help to manage his sexual issues.

He was found guilty of four counts of indecency and one count of rape, committed between September 1998 and April 2002. The case has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the devastating effects of such predatory behavior.