WILLIAM RUSSELL GUILTY OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN BRIGHTONS AND STIRLINGSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Brightons near Falkirk and Stirlingshire, William Russell, aged 35, has been found guilty of heinous crimes involving the sexual assault of two young girls. The incidents took place over a period spanning from April 2003 to 2005, during which Russell was accused of abusing a nine-year-old girl and her older sister while acting as their babysitter.

Russell, who had denied all allegations, faced a lengthy trial at the High Court in Livingston. The court heard from the victims, now aged 21 and 24, who revealed that they had kept their traumatic experiences secret for many years. It was only when they began discussing their recurring nightmares that they realized they shared similar memories of abuse inflicted by Russell.

One of the victims recounted to the jury, “She was talking to me about the nightmares and I told her that I thought it was a nightmare what happened with William. She opened up and told me it had happened to her too. I told my husband the same night. I never went into detail.”

The older sister provided detailed testimony, describing how Russell, who had temporarily moved into her family home in Stirlingshire, subjected her to sexual assault on multiple occasions. She testified that Russell raped her twice and forced her to perform a sex act on him in the bathroom. The girl, now an adult, explained that these assaults occurred when she was between nine and ten years old.

William Russell, however, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. He claimed that both women were lying and expressed confusion over the allegations, asserting that he had no idea why they would make such accusations against him.

The court's verdict marks a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for the victims, and Russell is scheduled to be sentenced next month. The case has brought to light the devastating impact of childhood abuse and the importance of speaking out against such crimes.