ABERNETHY RAPIST DAVISON SHAW SENTENCED FOR ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN PERTHSHIRE

In October 2018, a disturbing case of long-term sexual abuse came to light involving Davison Shaw, a man with ties to Abernethy, who was convicted of heinous crimes committed against two young girls in Perthshire. The offences spanned over a period of 14 years, during which Shaw repeatedly assaulted and molested the victims, with the earliest abuse beginning when one girl was just three years old and continuing until she was 13. The second girl was also subjected to Shaw’s predatory actions when she reached her early teens.

Shaw, now aged 66, faced a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, where the court heard harrowing details of his crimes. The court was told that Shaw had raped one of the young victims after abusing her from the age of three, and had molested the other girl when she was 13. The severity and duration of his offending were emphasized during the proceedings, highlighting a pattern of grooming and sustained sexual exploitation.

During the trial, Shaw initially denied the allegations, but the evidence presented was overwhelming. The presiding judge, Lord Arthurson, described Shaw’s actions as “wholly abhorrent and depraved,” reflecting the gravity of his crimes. After deliberation, Shaw was found guilty of multiple charges, including indecent assault, rape, and two counts of indecent behaviour.

In delivering his sentence, Lord Arthurson underscored the seriousness of Shaw’s conduct. He stated, “You were convicted of extremely serious sexual offending against two children. On any view, your criminal conduct in regard to these offences can be characterized as wholly abhorrent and depraved.” The judge further noted that Shaw’s abuse was not only sustained but involved grooming, which added to the heinous nature of his crimes.

Given the severity of the offences, Shaw was sentenced to eight years in prison. The court also ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses. An assessment had indicated that Shaw posed a moderate risk of reoffending, but the court emphasized the importance of public safety.

Shaw’s legal representative, Kevin McCallum, maintained that his client continued to deny the allegations. However, he acknowledged that Shaw was unlikely to receive a community-based disposal and expressed that Shaw wished to be released back into society as soon as possible. McCallum also mentioned Shaw’s willingness to participate in any rehabilitation programmes available during his incarceration.

He further noted that Shaw was a first-time offender and that his imprisonment would mean spending a significant part of his remaining years behind bars, marking a stark end to a long history of criminal conduct.