DEREK HILL FROM KELSO FACES JAIL FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AT FIREFIGHTER PARTY IN ROXBURGHSHIRE

A respected fire chief is now facing potential imprisonment after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman during a social gathering in Kelso, Roxburghshire. The incident occurred in 2020 at a party organized to celebrate Derek Hill’s three decades of dedicated service to the fire department.

According to court proceedings, Crew Commander Derek Hill, aged 57 and a married father of two, forcibly entered a toilet cubicle where a woman was using the facilities. The woman, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, was subjected to a disturbing assault that included Hill forcing his tongue into her mouth and then reaching under her skirt to pull down her underwear. The assault escalated as Hill, during the attack, was unbuttoning his shorts, indicating an intent to sexually assault her.

The victim, who is in her 30s, managed to escape from the cubicle after Hill’s aggressive behavior. She did not initially report the incident but confided in a friend a week later. Following her disclosure, she reported the matter to her fire service colleagues, prompting an internal investigation. This investigation ultimately led to police involvement and charges against Hill.

During the court hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, the woman recounted her experience. She explained that she attended the party at a car wash facility owned by a fellow firefighter in Kelso on July 18. She arrived around 2 pm and consumed various alcoholic beverages, including gin and tonics, Jack Daniels and cola, wine, and port. Around 9:30 pm, she went to use the shared toilet. As she was leaving, Hill allegedly blocked her path by pushing the door open, forcing her back inside the cubicle. He then entered the space, locked the door behind him, and confronted her.

She described her confusion during the assault, stating, “He turned to face me and at this point I didn’t understand what was happening – I was confused. He was right there.” The woman further detailed that Hill forcefully kissed her on the mouth, with his tongue entering her mouth, and touched her under her dress. She also claimed he pulled down her underwear and was unbuttoning his shorts during the attack.

Despite the trauma, she managed to unlock the toilet door and escape. She expressed her belief that Hill intended to have sex with her, saying, “I think he came into the toilet and wanted to have sex with me. That’s the impression I got.” The woman admitted that she did not report the incident immediately, fearing exposure and feeling shock at the time. She explained, “I think I was in shock at the time and tried to act as normal as I could.”

During the trial, Hill acknowledged that he had sat on the woman’s lap three times during the day and that she had asked him for a kiss in exchange for a gift she had bought. He admitted to “overstepping the mark” by entering the cubicle and kissing her on the neck but denied any sexual assault took place.

The jury found Hill guilty of the charges on Friday. Sheriff Daniel Kelly sentenced him to be placed on the sex offenders’ register and released him on bail, with the sentencing deferred. The sheriff emphasized that “all options remain open to the court and I will keep an open mind.”

Following the incident, Stephen Gourlay, the area commander of the fire service, stated, “A complaint was received against Derek Hill and following an internal investigation, Mr. Hill was ultimately dismissed.” The case highlights the serious consequences of misconduct within emergency services and the importance of accountability in maintaining public trust.