KEVIN NICHOL FROM FAULDHOUSE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN WEST LOTHIAN

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Fauldhouse and the wider West Lothian area, Kevin Nichol, a 53-year-old plasterer, was sentenced to prison after admitting to a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over several decades. The conviction followed a revelation that Nichol had written a heartfelt confession letter to one of his victims, revealing a rare moment of remorse amid a long history of abuse.

According to court records, Nichol’s predatory behavior began more than 30 years ago when he targeted young children. His first known victim was a girl he began abusing when she was just five years old. The abuse started with inappropriate touching—specifically, Nichol placing her hand inside his trousers and encouraging her to touch him—an incident that took place in a block of flats in Uphall, West Lothian, sometime between October 1983 and September 1984. Over time, his misconduct escalated to include more invasive acts, including sexual assault and rape, which continued until September 1990.

The victim, now aged 39, bravely testified in court about the emotional and physical toll the repeated rapes had taken on her. She described her ordeal as deeply painful and expressed her distress at reliving these memories during the trial. She firmly rejected defense claims that her allegations were false, standing firm in her account of the abuse she suffered as a child.

Further complicating the case was the revelation that Nichol had targeted a second young girl, also beginning at the age of five, this time in Bathgate, West Lothian. His abuse of this second victim extended from 1994 and included sexual acts and an attempted rape between 1998 and 2000. The prosecutor, advocate depute James Keegan QC, emphasized that Nichol had systematically pursued a pattern of criminal conduct against vulnerable children, with his behavior escalating in severity over the years.

Throughout the trial, Nichol maintained his innocence on multiple charges, denying the allegations. However, he was ultimately found guilty of six counts, including indecent behavior, attempted rape, and rape. Despite being on bail during the proceedings, he was remanded into custody immediately following the verdict. The court heard that Nichol has a prior conviction for a sex crime, which added weight to the severity of his offenses.

One of the most poignant moments in the case was the presentation of a letter written by Nichol himself. In this letter, he expressed remorse and confusion about his actions, stating, “I just want to say I am sorry what I did. I don’t know why I did it.” He also wrote, “There must be something wrong with me,” and admitted that he needed help but did not know where to seek it. The advocate depute highlighted that, despite his confession, the victim still had to give evidence at trial, underscoring the trauma involved.

Judge Lord Ericht ordered a background report to be prepared ahead of sentencing scheduled for the following month. He described the case as “a very unpleasant case” and emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable groups from individuals like Nichol. As part of the sentencing process, Nichol was placed on the sex offenders’ register, and Scottish ministers will be notified of his conviction under legislation designed to safeguard the community. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting children from predatory offenders.