ANDREW LINGARD'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN MILTON KEYNES AND GLASGOW REVEALED
A legal professional from Milton Keynes, Andrew Lingard, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after a series of disturbing sexual offenses committed over a span of five years, from 2005 to 2010.The crimes involved the sexual abuse of three victims, with one victim subjected to rape and the other two experiencing indecent conduct.
The severity of Lingard's actions was underscored during his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, where the presiding judge, Judge Michael O'Grady KC, described the offenses as "very grave" and emphasized the profound pain inflicted upon the victims.
Lingard's criminal activities took place at various locations, including addresses in West Lothian and a flat in Glasgow.
The case only came to light after one of his victims, who had been suffering from emotional distress, began self-harming and experienced a mental breakdown while volunteering at a stable for horses.
This incident prompted further investigation, leading to Lingard's arrest and subsequent trial.
The court heard that the rape victim was assaulted at a residence in Livingston while she was asleep.
She only realized what had happened after awakening, which added to the trauma she endured.
Additionally, it was revealed that one girl was abused by Lingard when she was just 12 years old in 2005.
Another girl, also aged 12 at the time, was molested by Lingard starting in 2006, and she was subjected to a sex act by him.
These offenses spanned several years, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior.
Throughout the trial, Lingard's defense team, led by Shelagh McCall KC, maintained that he denied all allegations and insisted he had never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity.
However, McCall acknowledged that Lingard accepted the inevitable outcome of a lengthy custodial sentence following his conviction.
She also pointed out that Lingard, aged 38 at the time of sentencing, was a first-time offender, married, and a father to an infant son.
Support for Lingard was reflected in the 29 character references submitted by family, friends, and colleagues, portraying him as a person of good character.
Lingard's defense also included a claim that he suffered from sexsomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by engaging in sexual activities while asleep.
He recounted a specific incident where he was accused of waking a woman in a sexual manner, which he claimed was related to his condition.
Despite this defense, Lingard was found guilty of the charges and was subsequently placed on the sex offenders register, marking a significant step in addressing the gravity of his crimes and their impact on the victims.
