DAVID SWAN FROM ARMADALE, FORRES, HUNTLY, AND LIVINGSTON JAILED FOR CHILD GROOMING AND SEXUAL ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has shocked communities across Scotland, David Swan, aged 43, has been sentenced to a life of supervision and imprisonment after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving a young girl. Swan, who has connections to Armadale, Forres, Huntly, and Livingston, was convicted of grooming a primary school pupil for sexual purposes and subsequently raping her, with the abuse beginning when she was only 10 years old in 2003. The abuse persisted over a span of two years, causing significant trauma to the young victim.

During the proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh, Swan also admitted to possessing a staggering 1,250 indecent images of children, a revelation that added to the severity of his crimes. The court heard that Swan, who was residing in Huntly, Aberdeenshire at the time, first encountered the girl after he picked her and her mother up at a bus stop while en route to a primary school in West Lothian. Over time, Swan built a disturbing relationship with the girl, which included giving her alcohol and exposing her to pornographic films. The court was told that Swan made chilling statements to the girl, expressing his inappropriate desires by saying he “couldn’t wait until she was 16 and could have his babies and marry him.”

Following the discovery of the abuse, police conducted a search of Swan’s residence in Forres, located in Moray. During the search, officers uncovered a large collection of sexual images of children stored on his computer, further implicating him in the possession of child pornography. The evidence presented in court was overwhelming, leading to a conviction that reflects the gravity of his offenses.

In sentencing, Lord Menzies emphasized the importance of public safety and the need for ongoing monitoring of Swan’s behavior. He imposed a lifelong restriction order, which means Swan will be subject to continuous supervision and assessment for the rest of his life. The judge stated, “It may mean you will remain in custody for the rest of your life,” highlighting the seriousness of the case. Lord Menzies also remarked that a significant portion of the child pornography images found were at the most severe end of the scale, underscoring the disturbing nature of the material Swan possessed. He pointed out that there are numerous victims behind these images—innocent children who are the true victims of these crimes.

Earlier in the proceedings, Swan, formerly residing on Nelson Place in Huntly, admitted to raping the girl at various locations, including houses in Livingston and Armadale in West Lothian, as well as at a caravan park in Ullapool. His criminal record also includes charges related to the possession of child pornography, further illustrating the extent of his offending. The court’s decision reflects a firm stance against such predatory behavior, aiming to protect the community and prevent any future harm from Swan.