KIRKWALL PAEDOPHILE GRAHAM FINDLAY SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST BOYS

In a case that has shocked the community of Kirkwall, Graham Findlay, a 26-year-old man with a history of involvement in local youth activities, was found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences committed against young boys over an extended period. The offences spanned from January 2004 to August 2012, and the conviction was secured after a two-week trial at Kirkwall Sheriff Court.

Findlay, who previously served as a scout leader in the area, faced five charges related to his inappropriate and criminal conduct. These included four counts of lewd, indecent, and libidinous behaviour directed at boys aged between seven and 13. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Findlay had lured two of these young boys into a shed, where he asked them to expose themselves, engaging in acts that were both illegal and deeply disturbing.

In addition to these charges, Findlay was also accused of attempting to commit rape. This involved a sexual assault on a 16-year-old male, whom he reportedly pinned down and forcibly removed his clothing. The incident was part of the broader pattern of misconduct that the court examined during the proceedings.

During the trial, emotional scenes unfolded as Findlay was seen weeping on his father’s shoulders as he left Kirkwall Sheriff Court. The jury, after deliberating, returned majority guilty verdicts on all charges. The court deferred sentencing to allow for the preparation of reports, but later, at a sentencing hearing, Findlay was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subjected to a sexual offence prevention order for five years.

In a related case from June 2014, Findlay was also convicted of attempted rape and other sex offences involving boys as young as seven. The jury found him guilty of five charges, including the serious sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy who sought his support after experiencing bullying. The court heard that Findlay had invited two boys, aged eight and ten, into a shed where he asked them to expose themselves, and he did so himself.

Findlay’s abuse extended to the use of social networking sites and messaging services, through which he engaged in inappropriate and illegal activities, including asking a child to remove his clothes on webcam. Despite the gravity of his actions, he was granted bail before sentencing, which was scheduled for the following month. Throughout the proceedings, Findlay was visibly distressed, weeping as the jury delivered its verdicts, highlighting the emotional toll of the case on all involved.