WILLIAM RAE IRVINE SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR PREDATORY CRIMES IN IRVINE AND STEWARTON

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Irvine, William Rae, a man known locally as Billy, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of more than a decade. The crimes, which involved multiple young girls, were carried out at Rae's residence in Irvine as well as at his stables in Stewarton, where he lured victims under the pretense of horseriding lessons.

Rae, aged 58, was found guilty last week by a jury after a lengthy trial at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court. Despite maintaining his innocence, the court heard compelling evidence of systematic abuse, with victims ranging in age from 12 to 15 at the time of the offenses. The court revealed that Rae, who was also registered as a “Kinship Carer” with North Ayrshire Council’s social services, exploited his position of trust to target vulnerable girls, many of whom were daughters of family friends entrusted to his care.

The court proceedings detailed a pattern of predatory behavior. It was disclosed that Rae would often entice young girls to his stables with promises of seeing horses, only to subject them to grooming and, ultimately, sexual assault. One particularly disturbing incident occurred in December 2010, when Rae coerced a young girl into his lorry, forcibly removing her clothing and exposing her private parts despite her pleas for him to stop. This act of abuse was just one of many that spanned several years.

Further allegations revealed that between September and December 2015, Rae entered the bedroom of a 13-year-old girl, where he placed his hands inside her trousers and attempted to kiss her. During this same period, he made sexual remarks to her while she was in the shower and exposed himself to her on separate occasions. Another victim, aged 12, was subjected to repeated assaults by Rae from September 2001 through March 2005. On one such occasion, Rae forcibly put his hands inside her underwear and assaulted her despite her protests. He also forced her to touch him inappropriately, and when she was 16, Rae indecently assaulted her while she was intoxicated between March 2005 and March 2006.

In addition to these assaults, Rae was charged with making sexual remarks to another child during the latter part of 2015. The court sentenced Rae to six years in prison, with the sentence divided into three years of incarceration and a further three-year extended supervision order. This means that upon his release, Rae will remain under supervision and monitoring. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing oversight of his activities.

A survivor of Rae’s abuse, who bravely spoke to the Irvine Times, described him as a “sick predator” who had groomed her from the age of 12. She recounted her initial meeting with Rae, which occurred through her foster care system, as he was a friend of her foster parents. She explained that she was taken to his stables because of her love for horses, and within a month, Rae began to manipulate her emotionally, asking, “Do you love me?” She admitted that she responded affirmatively, trusting him because he and his wife had been kind to her. However, this trust was exploited as Rae’s true intentions became clear through his abusive actions.

The victim described her feelings of confusion, embarrassment, and fear, noting that she didn’t know how to tell anyone about what was happening. She expressed her belief that her community’s perception of Rae as a trusted figure made it difficult to come forward initially. Now, at 28 and a mother herself, she feels that Rae’s sentence is not long enough but is nonetheless relieved that justice has been served. She shared her ongoing struggle with fear, recalling how she would see Rae passing by in his bin lorry, smiling and waving, which only heightened her anxiety. Since reporting him to the authorities, she said she no longer feels that fear and feels empowered for having spoken out.

She also reflected on her decision to come forward, acknowledging that she kept her trauma secret for a long time, confiding only in her partner. When she learned that others had also made complaints against Rae, she realized she had a duty to speak out. Her message to other victims was clear: “He is the one who did this, not us. We are not to blame.” The case against William Rae highlights the importance of vigilance and the courage required to confront abuse, especially when it involves trusted community members in Irvine and Stewarton.