KENNETH LOTHIAN'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN NEWTONGRANGE AND MIDLOTHIAN REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Kenneth Lothian, a resident of Newtongrange in Midlothian, was convicted of heinous crimes involving child abuse and indecent images. The sequence of events leading to his arrest and subsequent sentencing paints a grim picture of a man engaged in depraved activities over an extended period.

Back in December 2019, authorities uncovered a horrifying collection of child exploitation materials at Lothian’s residence. Police investigations were initiated after a tip-off about his extensive stash of illegal images and videos. When officers arrived at his home in Newtongrange around 3:30 pm on April 18 of the following year, they found Lothian himself confessing to downloading and viewing such material, claiming that his partner was unaware of his actions. The police seized a laptop and a hard drive, which contained a staggering total of 99,517 still images and 8,717 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, some of which involved infants being raped, while others showed older children being subjected to abuse.

The graphic content was classified into the most severe category, Category A, with 2,436 images and 2,929 videos identified as the most depraved. The police investigation also uncovered six videos and five photographs that depicted Lothian engaging in sexual acts with a teenage girl, who was described as having learning difficulties and health issues. These acts took place between 2010 and 2011 at his home in Newtongrange. The victim, now an adult, later provided police with details of the abuse she endured at the hands of Lothian.

Further examination revealed that Lothian had recorded himself sexually abusing the girl over a period of more than a year. The footage showed him forcing her to touch his private parts while he watched pornography, and included other acts of sexual assault. The girl was reportedly vulnerable due to her health and learning difficulties, making her an easy target for Lothian’s predatory behavior.

In addition to the possession of a vast collection of indecent images, Lothian was charged with engaging in lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices involving the girl. These acts included rubbing, penetrating, and kissing her vagina, exposing his penis, instructing her to touch his genitals, removing her clothes, and watching pornography together. These offenses spanned from September 21, 2010, to November 30, 2010, and continued from December 1, 2010, to September 20, 2011.

During the court proceedings at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Lothian pleaded guilty to all charges. The court was visibly affected by the details read out in open court, with many members of the public gallery visibly distressed and some leaving the courtroom. Sheriff Norman McFadyen ordered that Lothian be placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period and deferred sentencing to the following month to allow for a comprehensive report and risk assessment.

In sentencing, Lothian was given a two-year prison term, with an additional three years on license following his release. His conviction also includes an indefinite requirement to register as a sex offender, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the potential risk he poses to the community. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals from predators like Kenneth Lothian, whose actions have left a lasting scar on his victims and the community of Midlothian.