MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ON BOY AFTER RAPE CHARGE DROPPED
A man accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy at an Aberdeen property has been convicted of a lesser charge of sexual assault after a High Court trial.Fraser Laing, aged 28, denied the charges of rape and an additional allegation of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl at approximately the same time.
The jury, consisting of 14 members, deliberated for just under three hours before returning a majority verdict of guilty on the lesser charge, which was not rape.
During the four-day trial, the court heard evidence from both of Laing’s victims.
At the time of the offence, Laing was 15 and lived with his mother and sister in a flat on Gardiner Crescent in Kincorth.
The male victim, now in his 20s, testified about being left in Laing’s flat for babysitting purposes.
He recounted the first time he was alone with Laing, describing the incident: “We were watching TV, then he asked me to pull down my trousers.
At first I said ‘no’, then he became angry.” He further explained that Laing threatened him with violence if he refused and described how Laing had touched his genitals, forcing him to do the same in return.
The witness detailed how Laing had forced himself upon him, expressing his fear and saying the assault lasted about an hour each time.
He recounted that after Laing ejaculated, he rushed to leave and was threatened with violence if he didn’t return.
He revealed that Laing coerced him into further acts, including placing his penis in his anus, which happened multiple times over several weeks, about three to four times weekly.
During this period, he felt scared, sore, and unwell, often locking himself in his room.
The victim admitted he did not report what had happened until 2020, citing fear as the reason for silence.
During cross-examination, he was asked if he was fabricating the story, to which he responded that he was speaking the truth, despite the difficulty in recounting it.
The court heard that Laing was acquitted of two additional charges of sexually assaulting the girl.
Ultimately, he was convicted of a sexual assault charge involving the boy, which included forcing him to remove his underwear, touching his genitals, and performing a sex act.
Laing was also found guilty of encouraging the boy to touch his private parts and of threatening violence.
Judge Simon Collins KC delayed sentencing to allow for background reports and released Laing on bail until his next hearing at Edinburgh High Court.
The court also noted Laing's prior convictions for sexual offences dating back to 2013, for which he served a community payback order.
As the verdict was announced, Laing, currently of Fettes Way, Montrose, was seen sobbing and holding his head in his hands.
The judge ordered Laing to comply with the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act and warned him about the possibility of a custodial sentence.
