DAVE WEISSGERBER SHOCKS DUNBAR WITH CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND INDECENT ACTS

In December 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving a man from Dunbar, identified as David Weissgerber, who was convicted of heinous sexual offences against a young girl. The allegations detailed a prolonged period of abuse spanning several years, beginning when the girl was only nine years old. Weissgerber, residing at Little Pinkerton Cottages near Dunbar in East Lothian, was found guilty of multiple charges related to indecent conduct and sexual assault.

According to court records, Weissgerber had repeatedly engaged in inappropriate and lewd acts towards the girl, including touching her body and encouraging her to place her hand on his groin. These incidents occurred at an address in Dunbar between October 1, 1998, and September 30, 1999. The abuse did not stop there; he also repeatedly induced the girl to sit on his knee, performed indecent acts, and exposed himself to her at a different location within Dunbar from October 1, 2000, to September 30, 2005.

The court heard that the abuse began when the girl was as young as nine and continued until she was 15, involving numerous acts of sexual misconduct. Weissgerber’s actions included exposing himself and engaging in inappropriate physical contact, which constituted a gross breach of trust given the vulnerability of the young victim. The case was brought to light during a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where Weissgerber, who also goes by his middle name David, denied all allegations.

Despite his denials, the jury found him guilty of two charges of sexual assault involving the young girl. The court did not find sufficient evidence to prove four other allegations, including claims of sexual assault on a woman and indecent acts involving another child, which were therefore not proven. The verdict reflected the jury’s assessment of the evidence presented during the five-day trial.

In sentencing proceedings held the following Wednesday, Sheriff Alison Stirling emphasized the severity of Weissgerber’s crimes. She described his conduct as a “gross breach of trust” and highlighted that the abuse took place over a significant period, involving multiple acts of indecency. The sheriff stated that only a custodial sentence was appropriate given the seriousness of the offences, which involved the sexual exploitation of a minor over several years.

As a result, Weissgerber was sentenced to two years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. During the hearing, his solicitor, Stephen Mannifield, acknowledged that Weissgerber had experienced a change in attitude following his conviction and had taken steps to prepare himself for incarceration. Mr. Mannifield also expressed concern about the impact of the case on Weissgerber’s family, noting that his daughter had been stigmatized and that his elderly mother’s health was a matter of worry.

The court’s findings confirmed Weissgerber’s guilt on charges of lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices involving the young girl, including touching her and encouraging her to touch him, as well as exposing himself. The offences took place at two separate addresses in Dunbar over a period of nearly seven years, from October 1990 to September 2005. The verdicts, which were by majority, also included a not proven verdict on allegations of sexual assault on a woman in March 1995 and other indecent acts involving a different young woman between May 2010 and May 2015. The court deferred full sentencing until December 20, and Weissgerber was released on bail pending the final decision.