MAN GUILTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON FOUR DIFFERENT WOMEN
John Scroggie, aged 36, was found guilty of multiple sexual offenses including the rape of one woman, an attempted rape of another, and the sexual assault of two additional women.The verdict was delivered swiftly by the jury, who reached a unanimous decision after just two hours of deliberation during the four-day trial in Aberdeen.
All four women involved reported that they knew Scroggie through mutual acquaintances.
Prosecutor Leanne McQuillan urged the jury to convict, arguing that Scroggie exploited their familiarity and forced himself upon the women.
During the trial, Scroggie raised a defence of consent regarding the rape charge.
One victim recounted that she was out drinking with friends and was later invited back to Scroggie’s house for a party, which she initially thought would involve a hot tub.
She returned home to change into swimwear before heading to his address on Brodick Road.
Upon arrival, she realised it was just the two of them but felt comfortable due to their prior acquaintance.
Inside, Scroggie locked the door and offered her a drink.
After she accepted a sip, he made advances towards her.
She explained that he attempted to pull down her trousers, which she asked him to stop, but he persisted, eventually dragging her onto a sofa and raping her.
The woman described fighting to free herself, claiming he was too strong, and recounted that he told her to stay still, insisting she let it happen so it could be over.
She managed to escape when he answered a knock at the door, and she admitted to not reporting the assault immediately, believing she could manage it herself.
Later, she confided in a family member, which led her to contact police.
Despite his conviction, Scroggie’s defence suggested that the encounters might have been consensual; the woman denied this, stating she struggled and tried to get away.
Another victim testified that in the summer of 2008, after leaving a night out early due to feeling unwell, she was approached by Scroggie while resting in a church doorway.
He offered to walk her home, but once in a secluded lane, he assaulted her.
She described how he pulled her skirt and down her pants, attempting to rape her.
She pleaded with him to stop, but he continued until a passing individual called out, startling him and causing him to flee.
She returned home, waking her sleeping boyfriend with her cries.
She explained she initially didn’t report it out of shock and fear, but a social media post by another victim in 2023 prompted her to come forward.
A third woman recounted being assaulted while walking her dog and pushing a young child in a buggy.
She claimed Scroggie grabbed her crotch, tried to dry hump her, and touched her breasts and buttocks.
The incident was so distressing that her child was crying and she felt traumatized.
Afterward, she sought refuge in a supermarket, spoke with a friend, and reported the assault to police.
She also suggested online that Scroggie was a sex offender.
The fourth victim stated she was in contact with Scroggie via messages until she invited him to her home to discuss personal issues.
Suddenly, he attacked her while she was sitting on her sofa, pinning her down and kissing her neck.
She said he insisted she wanted it, but she denied this, telling him she had friends coming over.
He then left abruptly, and she was left hysterical, calling a friend for support.
Police interrogations of Scroggie were played in court, during which he denied all accusations.
The defence argued that the women had all lied, but the jury rejected this, finding him guilty on all counts.
Following the verdict, Judge Graeme Buchanan warned Scroggie of a likely lengthy prison sentence, and he was remanded into custody.
He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and will be sentenced at Aberdeen’s High Court in March.
