Rapist who was ‘too fat for court’ jailed for 7 years

Stanley Sandison, who preyed on a string of young girls in the 1960s and ‘70s, was convicted in July despite claiming he was unfit to stand trial.

The 24-stone pensioner had been excused from previous court hearings as a judge was told Sandison suffered from “morbid obesity”.

A specially-convened trial was then set up at the tiny sheriff court building in Elgin, close to Sandison’s home in Lossiemouth, Moray.

His lawyer had said that Sandison, 68, was physically unable to travel to a “far away” location such as Glasgow or Aberdeen.

He was brought to court each day in a wheelchair after being ferried in an adapted car to cope with his bulk.

The OAP was eventually found guilty of raping two girls and sexually assaulting three others before being remanded in custody.

Sandison shuffled into the dock with the help of a zimmer frame at the High Court in Glasgow today.

The hearing had earlier been moved to a courtroom in the basement of the building, meaning Sandison would not have to climb stairs.

Lord Turnbull said he was guilty of a “course of sexual predatory conduct against vulnerable young girls”.

Sandison was convicted of six charges between 1964 and 1976.

One victim told the jury how she had been raped “about 10 or 12 times” by Sandison.

She wept as recalled: “He sat me on the couch and removed my clothes... he told me to stay quiet.”

Another young girl was also raped by the retired distillery worker.

The court heard today that Sandison told social workers – completing a pre-sentencing report - that he realised one victim may have been “scared”.

But, he reportedly added that because she was now married that she “must have got over it”.

Sentencing, Lord Turnbull told Sandison he had been “unimpressed” by comments he had made and that he had shown no “victim empathy”.