Edinburgh man convicted of horrific child sex abuse

A jury at Edinburgh High Court found Stuart Young guilty. Picture: Bill Henry

Stuart Young, 37, preyed on the children - who cannot be named for legal reasons - between November 2008 and December 2013.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how he began raping a little boy when he was just one day old. He continued to abuse him until he was aged three months.

Between November 2008 and December 2013, at various locations in the Capital, Young raped a girl who was aged just six months.

He continued to sexually assault her until December 2013 when she was aged just five.

In July 2013, he abused a girl aged nine-years-old at an address in the city’s Stenhouse area.

Young was finally caught after police learned about his practices. They arrested him after collecting enough evidence to bring him to court.

On Thursday, following a week long trial, a jury took just two hours to convict Young on two charges of rape and another of sexual assault.

Following conviction, temporary judge Paul Arthurson QC deferred sentence for the court to obtain reports about Young’s character.

The judge warned Young, who lived in Sighthill, to expect a lengthy prison sentence.

Judge Arthurson - who usually sits as a sheriff in the city’s sheriff court - warned: “You have been convicted of some truly depraved and despicable crimes.

“You should expect a sentence to reflect your level of criminality.”

Young, who has previous convictions, spent a week denying any wrong doing. He had entered not guilty pleas.

Following the conclusion of proceedings, Judge Arthurson said the nature of the evidence meant that jurors would be excused from serving on a jury for five year period.

He told them: “Ladies and gentlemen, it is said that serving on a jury at the high court is the greatest service that a citizen can perform in peace time.

“I have decided to excuse you all from jury service for five years. You will not be getting any citations through your door for that period of time.

“I thank you for your service and I hope you have gained some insight into the work that is done here in the high court.”

Defence solicitor advocate Ian Paterson told the court that his client realised that he was going to be sent to prison.

He added: “Mr Young expects that a substantial period of imprisonment will be imposed upon him.”

Sheriff Arthurson deferred sentence and Young was taken to the court room cells.

Young was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register. He will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on May 28.