ALAN WILSON FROM INVERNESS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES AND DEEMED A DANGER TO BOYS

In August 2017, it was reported that Alan Wilson, who now resides in Blackford, was involved in a serious criminal case. Back in September 2009, Wilson, a former Scout group chairman and children's charity worker from Inverness, was labeled 'a danger to boys' by a judge. Wilson, aged 65 at the time, was sentenced to four years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow after admitting to five sexual abuse charges.

Judge Lady Stacey described Wilson as a high risk of reoffending and emphasized the danger he posed to children. Wilson's wife, who remains supportive, was seen blowing kisses to him as he was taken from the courtroom.

A former managing director of a construction and demolition firm, Wilson had previously pleaded guilty to multiple abuses: he admitted to lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices, as well as sexual assault against a boy aged between 12 and 16, between December 1989 and August 1993. Additionally, he admitted to indecent practices toward a boy aged 9 to 11 at the Inverness Aquadrome swimming pool during 2006 and 2007. Furthermore, Wilson pleaded guilty to abusing a nine-year-old boy at his home between January and February 2008.

Wilson had held notable positions, including chairman of the Lochardil Scout Group and secretary of the Inverness-Nairn Link of the Chernobyl Children Lifeline charity, which arranged holidays for children from Belarus in the Highlands. The charity conducted its own investigation after Wilson's arrest and confirmed that no children involved appeared to have suffered harm.

The court was told that parents trusted Wilson because of his roles within these organizations. The abuse incidents included activities in a hot tub at an Inverness hotel and during swimming lessons.

Defense lawyer Catherine Smith stated that Wilson’s wife and two daughters continue to support him. She added, 'Apart from these offences he has lived a law-abiding life and has contributed to society through his employment and charitable work. He pleaded guilty and saved his victims from having to give evidence. He realises the significant damage and ongoing effect of his actions on the complainants.'

Lady Stacey highlighted that Wilson had deliberately created opportunities to commit the abuse, saying, 'It is clear you are a danger to boys and a risk assessment found that you are at high risk of reoffending. The compiler of the report is of the opinion that that risk is ongoing.'

Wilson was ordered to be monitored in the community for two years post-release and was deemed unsuitable to work with children by Scottish Ministers. He was also registered as a sex offender.

Northern Constabulary revealed that their investigation started in February 2008 after a nine-year-old boy reported abuse. Detective Sergeant Eddie Ross of the family protection unit noted, 'Alan Wilson was a businessman who was well known in the Inverness area. He was heavily involved with voluntary groups and charitable organisations. He used his status in the community to gain the trust of his victims’ parents and abused that trust.'

He added, 'His victims, one as young as nine and some now in their 30s, have shown tremendous courage in coming forward, and hopefully today’s sentence will bring some form of closure to them.'