JOSEPH NICOLSON FROM BRIDGE OF WEIR AND CRUDEN BAY SENTENCED FOR PAST SEXUAL ABUSE IN ABERDEENSHIRE

Joseph Nicolson, a man originally from Cruden Bay in Aberdeenshire, has a troubling history of sexual abuse that has resurfaced after decades. Known locally and within certain circles as “Uncle Joe” during his time working as a social worker for Quarriers, Nicolson’s past actions have now led to a significant legal consequence.

In 2001, Nicolson was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl over an extended period. Despite the severity of his actions, the court at the time described him as “a good Christian who did the Lord’s work,” a characterization that drew criticism from many who believed his religious persona should not overshadow the gravity of his crimes.

The incident took place many years earlier, with the abuse occurring at the Quarriers Village children’s home located in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire. Over an 18-month span starting in 1966, Nicolson committed heinous acts against the young girl, often sneaking into her room while his wife slept nearby. The details of the abuse highlight a disturbing breach of trust and a pattern of predatory behavior.

In November 2001, the case was brought back into the spotlight when Nicolson, then 74 years old, was brought before the court again. A sheriff initially sentenced him to two years but expressed the view that Nicolson deserved a harsher penalty, suggesting a sentence of ten years. However, Sheriff John Herald, citing legal limitations, ordered that Nicolson be transferred to the High Court for sentencing because the maximum penalty available at the sheriff court level was insufficient.

Subsequently, Lord Clarke, presiding over the High Court, determined that the ten-year maximum jail term introduced in 1997 did not apply to Nicolson because the abuse occurred more than 30 years prior. As a result, Nicolson was returned to Greenock Sheriff Court, where Sheriff Herald imposed the maximum sentence permissible, which was two years.

Following the sentencing, Lorraine Gray, a spokesperson for the children’s charity Children 1st, issued a statement emphasizing the importance of justice for victims of past abuse. She stated, “Children who were abused in the past should get the same justice as children who are abused now,” underscoring the ongoing need for accountability regardless of the passage of time.