IAN COWAN FROM FIFE AND LINLITHGOW SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST TEENAGE VICTIMS

In a case that has spanned decades and brought to light disturbing acts of sexual violence, Ian Cowan, aged 65, originally from Fife with connections to Linlithgow, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple serious sexual offences. The proceedings took place at the High Court in Livingston, where Cowan pleaded guilty to three counts of heinous sexual misconduct, including the rape of a teenage babysitter and indecent assaults on a woman of similar age, committed nearly 25 years ago.

The most recent conviction stems from an incident on October 2, 1992, when Cowan, then a resident of Linlithgow, West Lothian, forcibly raped a teenage girl who was babysitting at his home. The assault occurred in the bathroom of his residence, marking a deeply troubling chapter in his criminal history. Cowan also admitted to two separate charges of indecently assaulting an older woman over a period of six years, with these offences dating back to the mid-1990s.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that Cowan, a father of two, had previously served a nine-year prison sentence for attempting to rape two young girls in his care, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior. The judge, Lord Burns, sentenced Cowan to a total of six years and three months behind bars for the latest offences. Despite these convictions, the Crown accepted pleas of not guilty to seven other historic charges, which included allegations of rape, child sexual abuse, assaults, and threatening behaviour involving a shotgun.

During the sentencing, Lord Burns addressed the impact of Cowan’s actions on his victims. He stated that the older woman continues to suffer from the trauma inflicted upon her, emphasizing the lasting effects of such abuse. Cowan showed no visible emotion as he was led away to the cells, but one of his victims, present in court to witness the sentencing, quietly wept and was comforted by her family members.

Advocate depute Margaret Barrow provided additional context, explaining that the older woman did not report her abuse until 2007, and at that time, there was insufficient evidence to pursue prosecution. She later made another statement to police in 2015, expressing ongoing feelings of anger and embarrassment, and asserting that Cowan’s actions had “ruined her life.” The victim revealed her distress over the delay in reporting and the emotional toll it has taken on her.

Cowan, who was employed as a full-time refuse collection HGV driver for Stirling Council until his retirement, declined to comment when questioned by police. Ms. Barrow noted that the babysitter did not disclose the full extent of Cowan’s misconduct until approximately two years after the incidents, when she confided in her partner. The rape was formally reported to police in December of the previous year.

During the court hearing, Cowan’s defense lawyer, John Keenan, stated that Cowan had been living alone in Dunfermline since the death of his third wife in 2015. Keenan also mentioned that Cowan had recently undergone surgery to address three potentially life-threatening aneurisms and would require ongoing medication. He suggested that Cowan’s offences were often committed after nights out and under the influence of alcohol, though he emphasized that this was not an excuse and that Cowan had accepted responsibility and expressed remorse.

Since his arrest and subsequent admissions, Cowan has ceased drinking alcohol entirely. The victim, who endured Cowan’s abuse for over five years, expressed her relief at his incarceration. Surrounded by her family, she conveyed her satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating, “We’re happy with the outcome. It’s a brilliant result and it couldn’t have gone any better. We’ve been in suspense for so long waiting for this day. Now we’re off to start trying to piece our life back together and start living again without this hanging over us.”