A 37-year-old man will spend the next 13 years in prison after he was sentenced for serious sexual offences, violence and abusive behaviour.
Anthony Gibson came to the attention of police in November 2020 when it was discovered he had abused two women.
Following initial inquiries, it was apparent Gibson had subjected other women to his abusive behaviour. His offences occurred in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Lanarkshire and Fife.
As a result of the ongoing enquiries, Gibson was arrested and charged in connection with serious sexual assaults, violence and abusive and controlling behaviour.
He was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, 11 November, 2024.
Detective Inspector Frank Keegan : “Gibson is a prolific offender. I can only hope that the women he harmed take some solace in knowing he can no longer inflict his violent and abusive behaviour on them or any other women.
“It is incredibly difficult for anyone to stand up and confront an abuser and I would like to thank the women for their strength and resilience in speaking with us. I would encourage anyone who has been or is being subjected to violence and abuse to report it to us.”
At the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, 9 June, 59-year-old Rhoderick McGregor was sentenced to 10 years for serious sexual offences.
McGregor was convicted on Tuesday, 16 May, at Edinburgh High Court in connection with the offences that took place in Fife between 2006 and 2014.
Detective Sergeant Mark Brown said: “We acknowledge how difficult this has been for McGregor’s victims. Their commitment and engagement during our investigation helped ensure his conviction. Our thoughts remain with them and I hope that his sentencing gives them some comfort and assists them in moving forward.
“Investigating the abuse of children and young people is a top priority for Police Scotland. I hope this outcome will give confidence to anyone who is experiencing or has experienced abuse to come forward, knowing that we will carry out a robust investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
“No matter how much time has passed, please report it. You can be assured that you will be fully supported by our officers and our partner agencies.”
A man responsible for the non-recent sexual abuse of young people in Edinburgh has also been jailed.
At the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, 7 June, 2023, James Grover was sentenced to four years in prison for assaults on three people during the 1990s and 2000s.
The 41-year-old became subject of a Police Scotland public protection investigation in 2019 after the victims, who were aged between 12 and 15 years old at the time of the offences reported their abuse.
Grover was arrested and charged on 6 February 2020 before being found guilty of lewd and libidinous practices, indecent assault and assault on 2 May, 2023.
Detective Inspector Jonny Wright, who led the investigation, said: “Over a number of years, James Grover targeted his victims and subjected them to serious abuse that was both physical and sexual.
“These individuals showed incredible courage to come forward and make us aware of Grover’s offending, allowing us to conduct a thorough investigation, which ultimately led to his conviction and prison sentence.
“I want to thank them for their bravery and support of our inquiries. I hope today’s outcome brings them closure and peace of mind.
“Police Scotland will always take any reports of non-recent sexual crime seriously and investigate robustly. If you wish to report offences of this nature please contact us via 101.”
Specialist detectives in Edinburgh have acknowledged the conviction of Craig Dunsmore for a number of sexual offences, including rape. The 27-year-old has been found guilty following a trial at the High Court.
Dunsmore (above) was convicted of a raping a woman in Edinburgh in January 2019. He was also found guilty of online offences involving indecent communications and possessing indecent images of children.
Detective Inspector George Calder of the Edinburgh City Divisional Rape Investigation Unit said: “Craig Dunsmore is a dangerous individual whose actions were motivated purely to satisfy his own depraved sexual gratification.
“The bravery of the females involved in initially coming forward then subsequently throughout the police investigation and legal proceedings is to be commended and will now mean he faces the consequences of his behaviour.
“We are committed to bringing all perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice and I would urge anyone who wishes to report sexual crime, either direct to police or through a third sector agency, regardless of when it happened.”
Dunsmore will return to court for sentencing at a later date.
A cross-justice Review Group has recommended that a new, national specialist Court with trauma-informed procedures be created to deal with serious sexual offence cases.
As part of a wide ranging Review into the prosecution of sexual offences, the Group made extensive recommendations, most of which can be considered on a standalone basis. In addition to the specialist Court these include the presumed use of pre-recorded evidence; measures to improve the current experience of complainers with a particular focus on improved communication; steps to enhance jury involvement; and improvements to aspects of the Children’s Hearings System.
The Review Group was tasked principally with improving the experience of complainers in sexual offence cases within the Scottish court system, without compromising the rights of the accused. The recommendations will now be considered by the Lord Justice General, Lord Carloway.
Lady Dorrian said: “The wide ranging review was prompted in particular by the growth in volume and complexity of sexual offending cases affecting all sections of the criminal justice system. We have made recommendations which we believe will fundamentally change and improve the way sexual offences are prosecuted in Scotland.
“I am grateful to the Review Group, and to all those who contributed to its work, for their commitment and openness, and for the ‘clean sheet approach’ members adopted in undertaking this task, which has enabled a full scope of recommendations to be made for the consideration of the Lord Justice General.”
Recommendations – Summary
Specialist Court
A new, national specialist sexual offences Court would be created for serious cases (on indictment) in which trauma-informed practices and procedures were adopted and where those involved in the proceedings were trauma-informed, including support staff. Trauma-informed training for prosecutors and defence agents would include accredited courses in dealing with vulnerable witnesses and the use of examination techniques.
The cases would be presided over by a combination of High Court judges and sheriffs who had received trauma-informed training in best practice in the presentation of evidence of vulnerable witnesses. The Court would have sentencing powers of up to 10 years imprisonment with a provision for remit to the High Court for sentencing higher than that if required.
The presumption would be for the evidence given by the complainer to be pre-recorded.
Presumption of Pre-recorded Evidence
Evidence from complainers in serious sexual offence cases would be recorded by specially trained police officers as early as possible after an alleged incident. Additional evidence, including questioning on behalf of the accused, would also be recorded at the earliest possible opportunity following discussion at judicially lead management hearings. The recordings would, subject to court approval, be used in court as the complainer’s evidence reducing the need for the complainer to appear.
Improving complainers’ experiences
There would be a focus by all parties in the criminal justice sector on improving communication with complainers on basic concepts and the processes and procedures involved from the reporting of an allegation to its progression to trial.
One additional means of implementing this would be via the introduction of a single, trauma-informed point of contact who would provide specific information relevant to the particular case throughout the justice process.
A new Charter for complainers would be created setting out standards and values adopted by key criminal justice agencies. This would lay down the way in which complainers could expect to be treated, the information to which they were entitled, and how they would be communicated with. Complainers would also have access to publically funded, independent legal representation in order to oppose applications made to ask questions about their previous sexual history during evidence (known as a section 275 application).
The right for a complainer in proceedings not to be identified in the media would be expressly set out in legislation rather than relying upon current convention and agreement.
Improving efficiency
Improvements to the efficiency and conduct of proceedings would also be progressed by fixing targets to reduce the time from when an incident is reported to the conclusion of proceedings; early identification of prosecutors; and strengthening the requirement to lodge a meaningful indication of the accused’s position (defence statement).
Juries
There would be more focus on plain language directions given to the jury by the judge, and assistance in explaining the process of how they should go about making their decision (their route to verdict). Other steps to enhance the quality of jury involvement in trials would include the development of a pilot programme to communicate information to juries regarding certain rape myths and stereotypes.
Time-limited Pilot
The Group suggested that further consideration could be given to the possibility of developing a time-limited pilot of single judge, rape trials to fully assess and fully consider their effectiveness and how they are perceived by complainers, accused and lawyers from a practical perspective.
Children’s Hearings System
Separate recommendations in relation to the Children’s Hearings System and court proceedings in relation to sexual offences, were made taking into account their unique nature.
They include a focus on the adoption of trauma-informed practice; the nationwide rollout of training for specialist recorded interviewing of children and further progression of recommendations made in the Evidence and Procedure Review; the greater use of case management powers; and improving communication to complainers on what is involved in such proceedings, particularly the limits on the information that can be shared and the reasons for that.
Crown Agent David Harvie said: “The introduction of a specialist sexual offences court would be an important step towards meaningful improvement in the delivery of justice in Scotland, for complainers, for accused, for society as a whole and is one that I fully support.”
Chief Executive of Rape Crisis Scotland Sandy Brindley: “All too often survivors tell us that the process of seeking justice – and in particular their experience in court – is as least as traumatic as the attack(s) itself. It is clear that significant action is needed.
“The report of the Review Group, chaired by Lady Dorrian, is important and necessary. The recommendations are bold, evidence based, and have the potential to transform Scotland’s response to sexual crime. This is a unique opportunity for Scotland to lead the way internationally in improving access to justice for people who have experienced sexual crime.”
Dr Marsha Scott, Chief Executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, said: “Improving court experiences for survivors of sexual violence is vital in improving their access to justice, and in strengthening the overall response of the justice system to violence against women and children.
We welcome the publication of this Review, and believe that the recommendations it makes reflect the gap between the promise of justice and the lived experience of survivors who so often feel re-victimised and let down by court processes.
“This review is a helpful starting point and we will continue to work with colleagues across the justice system to further improve the court experiences of survivors of sexual violence, particularly child survivors who we would like to see further protections for.”
Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, said: “People who have gone through some of the most serious crime need reassurance that their contact with the justice system will not cause them further harm.
“It’s important that all agencies involved in supporting people in the aftermath of crime are sensitive to the needs of these people. Trauma-informed practice must become part of the DNA of Scotland’s justice system – from the introduction of a new specialist court, showing commitment to allowing pre-recording evidence, through to improving communication before, during and after a trial.
“We know only too well from our experience of supporting people after crime, the emotional, psychological and financial impact this can have on them. The recommendations as put forward from the cross-justice Review Group are an important step forward for transforming justice in Scotland to allow us to better meet the needs of victims, witnesses and families. We now need commitment from all involved to ensure that the recommendations are carried forward.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Samantha McCluskey, of Police Scotland, said: “The nature of rape and other serious sexual offences present considerable evidential challenges. Investigations must be rigorous and thorough to ensure the best evidence available is secured. Victims must have the confidence that their complaint will be taken seriously and professionally.
“We acknowledge the recommendations from the Review Group chaired by the Lord Justice Clerk, in particular the manner in which our specialist officers record statements made by complainers in cases of serious sexual offences.
“We are acutely aware of how difficult it can be to report sexual crime and we are continually working with partners on ways to improve the police response to reports of rape and sexual crime. We are also fully supportive of wider measures that will improve the experience of victims and survivors of sexual crime throughout the criminal justice process.”
Amanda Millar, President of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “This has been a very important piece of work involving representatives from across the justice system. We would support meaningful improvement for complainers and witnesses involved in sexual offence cases that ensure the rights of an accused person are preserved.
“Solicitors work with those accused and those who are victims of crime. Providing greater access to legal advice for complainers would help to ensure they can get the right legal advice and support in bringing forward cases which are by their very nature, highly sensitive and distressing.
“We would also support introducing a trauma-informed approach and provision of additional training for the professionals involved in these cases. Following on from recent research into how juries make decisions, the recommendation to address some of the myths that surround rape and sexual offences would offer information and insight for jury members.
“We have previously expressed significant reservations about such cases being heard by a single judge without a jury, which was proposed as a means to deal with the backlog of court cases caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. These concerns remain. It will be essential to consider all the implications if any pilot is to go ahead, with outcomes examined carefully along with other important areas of potential reform that impact on the scrutiny of evidence.
“We will examine the report’s recommendations in detail and continue our engagement to ensure that any proposals would work in practice and that we have a fair and transparent justice system that upholds the rule of law and operates in the interests of justice.”
Review Group
The cross-justice Review Group includes representatives from the judiciary, the SCTS, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Faculty of Advocates, the Law Society of Scotland, Police Scotland, representatives from the Scottish Children’s Reporter’s Administration, the Scottish Government, the Scottish Legal Aid Board and third sector organisations including Rape Crisis Scotland, Scottish Women’s Aid and Victim Support Scotland.
Pre-recorded Evidence
The Review Group’s recommendations are in furtherance to the recommendations of the judicially lead Evidence and Procedure Review.
Police have arrested a man in connection with five instances of sexual offences committed in the west of Edinburgh.
The incidents happened between 31 December 2020 and 20 February 2021 in the Viewforth, Union Canal, and Craiglockhart areas of the city.
The most recent incident took place on Saturday (20 February 2021), when a 14-year-old girl was the victim of a sexual assault as she walked in a wooded area in Craiglockhart.
A 62-year-old man has now been arrested and charged in connection with five incidents and is due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.
Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “We continue to conduct enquiries in relation to these offences and anyone who may have witnessed a crime, or not reported an incident to officers already, should come forward so we can thoroughly investigate.”
Anyone wishing to report a crime should contact officers via 101, or in an emergency and when a crime is in progress, always call 999. Alternatively a report can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A man responsible for non-recent sexual offences against children and women has been convicted.
John Hoy, 46, was found guilty of numerous serious sexual offences including rape, committed between 1989 and 2005, at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Monday, 26 October).
Detectives from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit in Edinburgh began an investigation into Hoy after a woman came forward to report the non-recent sexual abuse Hoy had subjected her to.
He was subsequently arrested and charged on 31 October, 2018.
Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Hoy’s behaviour over an extended period of time was deplorable with no thought of the suffering it caused his young victims.
“I would like to commend the victims who bravely came forward and assisted the police. The guilty verdict is testament to the evidence they provided and the investigative work carried out by officers in the Public Protection Unit.
“We treat all reports of sexual crime – no matter when the offence happened – with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice. Anyone who has been subjected to abuse should feel confident in coming forward, that we will believe you and will thoroughly investigate.”
If you have concerns or information these can be reported to Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A man was sentenced yesterday for child sexual abuse committed in the Edinburgh area over a three-year period.
Jason King, 41, was convicted following a trial at the High Court on 19th September, where he was found guilty of three offences of indecent behaviour toward young girls. Continue reading Six years for Edinburgh child abuser
Scottish Government to consult on domestic abuse and sexual offences
Proposals to help victims of Domestic Abuse and Sexual offences have been announced in a consultation by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Speaking at the Scottish Women’s Aid conference in Edinburgh yesterday, the First Minister confirmed that the consultation would seek views on how legislation can be used to better support victims of Domestic Abuse and Sexual offences.
In her address, the First Minister outlined that the consultation would look at five key areas, among them would be whether a specific offence of Domestic Abuse is required and if legislation to tackle the problem of so-called “revenge porn” – the posting, usually by ex-partners, of private, intimate images without consent is needed to provide further protection.
The First Minister told the delegates that the Scottish Government was committed to tackling all forms of violence against women and to the realization of women’s equality in our society. She said: ““Violence against women is both a symptom and a cause of wider gender inequality across our society. And so ending violence against women has to be part of a broader strategy – we also need to achieve true gender equality in society as a whole.
“And of course, that’s exactly what this Government is trying to do. Appointing a gender balanced cabinet; campaigning for gender equality in the boardroom; expanding childcare; and addressing gender stereotypes. We’re working to create an economy and a society where discrimination has no place. There is still a great deal to do, but this government is determined to take a lead.
Urging the delegates to take part in the consultation the First Minister said: “We are launching a far reaching consultation today on whether the current law on domestic abuse and sexual offences should be clarified and strengthened. I strongly encourage you to respond; the deadline is the 19th of June.
“Domestic abuse in law can be challenging therefore we need to ensure that our legislation commands wide support, anticipates possible pitfalls, and allows us to prosecute the people who perpetrate these crimes.
“If there is a consensus on what we need to do, we will legislate in this Parliament. But if we need to do further work with stakeholders to ensure we get this absolutely right, we will do so.
“Either way, we will make clear that on-going coercive and controlling behaviour is unacceptable; and that those who commit such crimes will face justice. We know that changing the law isn’t enough on its own – but it can play an important part in the wider social and cultural changes we want to bring about.”
Lily Greenan, Scottish Womens Aid, Chief Executive, said: “It is twenty years since the Beijing Platform for Action laid out the work that should be undertaken globally to improve and protect women’s human rights. The Platform for Action identified violence against women as one of the critical areas of concern. We are delighted that the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women is able to join us in reviewing the progress we have made in Scotland since 1995 to tackle violence against women.
“Equal participation of women and men in decision making was also one of the goals of the Beijing declaration. It’s a particular pleasure therefore to welcome First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to the conference.
“Ms Sturgeon’s appointment demonstrates that some progress has been made on gender equality in the last twenty years. The conference will hear from frontline Women’s Aid workers how far this progress is reflected in the experiences of the women and children they support.”
