JOHN TURNBULL FROM AUCHTUBH EDINBURGH JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has shocked the local community, John Turnbull, a 47-year-old man from Auchtubh, Edinburgh, was sentenced to six years in prison for the heinous sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. The incident took place in April 2018, at a residence in Edinburgh where the young girl was visiting, and the details of the attack have left a lasting impact on all involved.

According to court proceedings, Turnbull, who had consumed a significant amount of alcohol prior to the assault, engaged in a vile and abhorrent act that has been described as both traumatic and devastating for the victim. The judge, Lord Woolman, emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “I shall not rehearse the circumstances. It is enough to say what you did was vile and abhorrent.”

During the attack, the young girl repeatedly asked Turnbull to stop, but he ignored her pleas. He then proceeded to lie on top of her, preventing her from escaping, and ultimately raped her. The victim, despite her efforts to resist, struggled with Turnbull, who was notably large—standing six feet tall and weighing approximately 20 stone. She managed to free an arm and elbowed him in the stomach, causing him to roll over. Seizing the opportunity, she ran out of the house, terrified that he might attack her again.

She sought refuge at a relative’s home, banging on the door and revealing what had happened. Emergency services were called, and police officers arrived to find the girl visibly upset, crying, shaking, and hyperventilating. The officers then proceeded to the scene of the assault, where they discovered Turnbull sleeping inside the property.

The court heard that Turnbull, a van driver residing in Auchtubh, Lochearnhead, Perthshire, had consumed a “vast amount” of alcohol before the attack. A medical examination confirmed injuries consistent with the girl’s account, and DNA evidence linked Turnbull directly to the crime scene.

Turnbull later admitted to lying on top of the girl, preventing her from getting up, and raping her on April 29, 2018. His guilty plea was taken into account, and the judge sentenced him to six years in prison, with a note that he would have faced a nine-year sentence if convicted after a trial. Additionally, Turnbull was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.

The case has also prompted discussions about the impact of alcohol and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable minors. The victim’s mother described the incident as a “life sentence” in a victim impact statement, highlighting the long-lasting trauma inflicted by the assault. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such crimes are treated and the commitment to protecting the community from individuals like Turnbull.