CAMERON GARDNER FROM ROTHIENORMAN SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN ABERDEEN AND BANFF AREA

Cameron Gardner, a 32-year-old former soldier from Rothienorman, has been handed down an 11-year prison sentence following his conviction on multiple serious sexual offenses. The High Court in Edinburgh heard detailed accounts of Gardner’s crimes, which spanned nearly a decade and involved numerous victims across various locations in the northeast of Scotland, including Aberdeen, Banff, Turriff, and the surrounding Banff and Buchan area.

Gardner’s criminal activities came to light after a lengthy investigation, culminating in his trial at the High Court in Dundee earlier this year. Throughout the proceedings, Gardner maintained his innocence, denying all charges. However, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him on 18 counts, which included rape, sexual assault, and sexual assault of a minor. The offenses were committed over a period from June 2012 to May 2021, with victims ranging from young girls to adult women. Some of these assaults occurred while victims were asleep, highlighting the predatory nature of his crimes.

In addition to his sexual offenses, Gardner was also convicted of animal cruelty, specifically mistreating several dogs between 2017 and 2020. The animals included a cocker spaniel, a husky-labrador mix, a Labrador cross, and a German shepherd. Witnesses and victims attended the court proceedings, some of whom expressed their distress and outrage at Gardner’s actions.

During the sentencing hearing, the judge, Lord Ericht, acknowledged Gardner’s military background, noting that he served as a driver and was recognized for his support and bravery. Notably, Gardner was commended for his role in recovering the bodies of two friends who were killed in Afghanistan after their tank was struck by an IED. Despite this service, the judge made it clear that Gardner’s military history did not excuse or mitigate his criminal conduct. “What happened in Afghanistan is no excuse for his actions,” Lord Ericht stated, emphasizing that trauma from military service does not justify the serious crimes committed.

Details of the case revealed that Gardner sexually assaulted an underage girl in November 2018, along with two other women on separate occasions. One of these assaults involved a victim who was sleeping at the time, further illustrating the disturbing pattern of his behavior. The court also heard about Gardner’s cruelty towards animals, which added to the severity of his convictions.

Many victims and members of the public attended the court sessions, some visibly upset by the details of Gardner’s crimes. In his sentencing, Lord Ericht ordered Gardner to be supervised for three years after his release to ensure public safety and prevent re-offending. Additionally, Gardner was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, a measure that underscores the gravity of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses.

In delivering the sentence, the judge emphasized that the severity and duration of Gardner’s crimes left no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. The multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, including offenses against minors and in domestic settings, demonstrated a pattern of predatory behavior that warranted the harshest penalties available under Scottish law.