Cancer-suffering rapist may die in prison

Published on Wednesday 18 March 2009 23:24

A PENSIONER may die in prison after he was jailed for eight years yesterday for raping a teenager 300 times during a sustained campaign of abuse.

A judge said the crimes of David Hiddleston, 74, who suffers from prostate cancer, were disgraceful and it was only by pleading guilty that he had saved himself from a 12-year sentence.

Lord Malcolm told Hiddleston, of Heathhall, Dumfries, that he appeared to have little remorse or understanding of the devastating impact of his behaviour on his victim.

The woman estimated she had been raped 300 times, from the age of 13 when Hiddleston had been asked to babysit while her mother went to work.

"You have pleaded guilty to a sustained campaign of rape and abuse against the victim from the start of her teenage years and for almost seven years thereafter," said Lord Malcolm at the High Court in Edinburgh.

He took into account Hiddleston's age and health difficulties, but added: "It is clear that the nature and gravity of your conduct means only a custodial sentence is appropriate."

Hiddleston admitted raping the woman on various occasions between 1973 and 1980 in Dumfries. The victim recalled that she would "quake" with fear each time Hiddleston forced himself on her. She tried to push him away, but he was too strong and ignored her pleas to stop. She kept the rapes secret, and suffered bouts of depression over the years.

Nine years ago, the woman took an overdose and revealed to her doctor what had happened in her teens. She received counselling, but it was not until last year that she finally went to the police to report the rapes.

Hiddleston confessed when questioned by detectives.

The defence solicitor-advocate, William McVicar, said Hiddleston did not keep the best of health. "Any sentence imposed may lead to his never being released alive. That matter weighs very heavily on his mind," added Mr McVicar.