EDWARD YOUNG FROM AIRDRIE FACES LONG PRISON SENTENCE AFTER SERIAL SEXUAL OFFENSES IN LANARKSHIRE

Edward Young, a 35-year-old man from Airdrie, Lanarkshire, has been found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses committed over a span of more than a decade. His criminal activities began at a very young age, with his first known sexual assault occurring when he was just 13 years old. Over the years, Young's pattern of predatory behavior escalated, leading to a series of heinous crimes that have now come to light during a high-profile trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Young was convicted of numerous sexual attacks on women, with some incidents involving particularly manipulative and dangerous tactics. One of his methods involved posing as a Good Samaritan, exploiting the trust of his victims while his partner was at home, thus concealing his true intentions. In another disturbing case, a woman in her 40s was drugged and raped, only to wake up the following morning naked and disoriented. Her partner noticed her distress and crying immediately after she regained consciousness, raising alarm about the assault.

Throughout the trial, victims recounted their traumatic experiences, with one woman revealing she had no memory of leaving an event after drinking wine, only to wake up feeling unwell and confused. Prosecutors emphasized that Young's criminal record includes an earlier conviction for raping a teenage girlfriend, highlighting a disturbing pattern of sexual violence that dates back to his teenage years and even earlier during his school days.

Judge Lorna Drummond QC, presiding over the case, acknowledged the severity of Young's crimes but decided to defer sentencing. She explained that this delay was necessary to allow for a comprehensive report to determine whether an extended prison sentence is appropriate, given that Young was assessed as posing a 'medium risk of committing sexual and violent offending.'

Currently, Edward Young remains in custody, with sentencing scheduled for December. The court's decision underscores the gravity of his offenses and the potential for a lengthy prison term, reflecting the serious concern over his pattern of predatory behavior in Airdrie and across Lanarkshire.