STIRLING ABUSE VICTIM FORCED OUT TWO WORDS THAT NAILED PENSIONER PERVERT
A Stirling woman, bedridden and barely able to speak due to illness, managed to force out two words that were enough to nail a pervert who had been preying on her for months.Archibald Young, 80, was arrested after his 51-year-old victim whispered “Archie keeps” and with an effort, follow up later with, “touching me”.
Young, a trusted family friend, had a key to the woman’s home so he could help after her carers left.
Falkirk Sheriff Court heard the woman, who lived alone, had been diagnosed with a progressive condition nearly 20 years ago and was bedbound and fed by a tube.
Prosecutor Jamie Hillend said: “Her speech and communication abilities have decreased over time.
“She rarely speaks unless she needs something and will do so using as few words as possible.” Attacked woman despite her anger Mr Hillend said over the past seven or eight years, Young would “visit her often, usually around 9pm after her carers had left”.
The court heard on five or six occasions in summer 2025 he touched her sexually through her clothing.
His victim said nothing and gave no indication she was consenting.
On the final occasion he went over to her house at about 9.30pm, went into her bedroom and closed the door.
Mr Hillend said the victim was “sweating and mumbling”.
Young moved her duvet down and started touching her indecently.
He later admitted “he could tell from the look on her face that she was angry”.
Brave victim discloses abuse At around 5.30pm the next day, the woman disclosed the sexual assault to her adult daughter and her father.
She told her father: “Archie keeps.” Mr Hillend said: “Her daughter asked, ‘Archie keeps what?’ “Eventually the complainer replied, ‘touching me’.” Her daughter asked, “Do you mean down below?” to which the victim gave a thumbs up.
Mr Hillend said the daughter felt her mother had been trying to communicate something to her for a while but had been unable to verbalise it.
The family contacted police.
‘Arrangements’ made for sentencing Young told officers “I know what this is about” and admitted what he had done.
Young, of Stirling, pled guilty to sexual assault.
Solicitor Kelly Howe, defending, said: “He has cooperated with everything.
“ He lives alone and he has started making some practical arrangements that he thinks will be required in anticipation of a potential disposal.” Sheriff William Gilchrist deferred sentence until January 7 for reports and continued bail in the meantime.
He placed Young on the sex offenders register.
