KELVIN FORREST SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS IN LIVINGSTON FOR RAPE CRIMES

At the High Court in Livingston, Judge Craig delivered a stern verdict, sentencing Kelvin Forrest to an extended term of seven years after he was found guilty of committing two separate charges of rape. The sentence is structured to include a four-year period of detention followed by an additional three-year extension, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Susan Craig addressed the court with a detailed account of the case. She emphasized that Forrest was convicted by a jury after a trial that revealed disturbing details about his actions. One of the victims was just 15 years old, nearly 16 at the time, while the other was only 13, with Forrest himself being 16. The judge pointed out that Forrest was not in a romantic relationship with either girl, but both believed he was a trusted confidant when they found themselves in vulnerable situations.

The crimes occurred within a span of a few weeks and took place at Forrest’s residence in Livingston. Both victims approached him seeking safety and protection, only to be betrayed by his actions. Instead of offering support, Forrest exploited their trust. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that he raped one victim while she was asleep and continued assaulting her when she awoke. In both instances, Forrest used force to restrain the girls, pinning their hands and preventing any chance of escape. The court heard that the victims were profoundly affected by what had happened, a reaction that Judge Craig described as entirely understandable given the circumstances.

The pre-sentencing report from the CJSW highlighted Forrest’s apparent lack of remorse and responsibility for his actions. It also noted his limited insight into the impact of his crimes on the victims. The report assessed Forrest as being at high risk of reoffending sexually, a concern that influenced the court’s decision on sentencing. The judge expressed particular concern over this risk, which was confirmed through multiple assessment tools.

In considering the case, Judge Craig took into account Forrest’s age, noting his relative immaturity at the time of the offenses, as well as his background and health issues, both physical and mental. While the possibility of rehabilitation was acknowledged, the gravity of the crimes led the judge to conclude that only a custodial sentence would suffice. She also stated that the risk level identified in the report meant that a standard period of supervised release after detention would not adequately protect the public from potential harm.

Consequently, the court imposed a cumulative extended sentence of seven years, with four years of detention and a three-year extension. Had the court opted for separate sentences for each charge, Forrest would have received three-year detention terms with two-year extensions for each. Additionally, Forrest will be subject to indefinite sex offender notification requirements and his name will be added to the register of individuals deemed unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.

Finally, the court rejected the Crown’s request for a Non-Harassment Order (NHO) concerning each victim. The judge explained that no sufficient evidence was provided to justify such an order, especially given Forrest’s impending lengthy detention and the absence of any breach of bail conditions during the proceedings.

These sentencing measures reflect the court’s recognition of the seriousness of Forrest’s crimes and the need to protect the community, particularly vulnerable young girls in Livingston from further harm.