KEVIN STOREY FROM MELROSE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH BORDERS

In December 2014, Kevin Storey, a former police officer from Melrose, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of multiple serious crimes involving sexual assault and physical abuse. The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Storey, aged 48 at the time, had committed heinous acts against three women and a two-year-old boy across various locations in the Scottish Borders, including his hometown of Melrose.

Despite his lengthy and commendable career in law enforcement, which included five commendations for acts such as river rescues and preventing suicides, his reputation was irrevocably tarnished by the crimes he committed. The judge acknowledged his previous service but emphasized that his recent actions made him a disgrace to the police uniform he once wore. As part of his sentence, Storey was ordered to remain under supervision for an additional three years and was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

Prior to sentencing, Storey was refused bail after being found guilty of eight charges stemming from a trial held the previous month. The charges included rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, and assault, all committed at different locations within the Borders. The court heard harrowing testimonies from the victims, who recounted their experiences of abuse and the lasting impact it had on their lives.

One woman, who was sexually assaulted by Storey, told the jury, “I would shout at him. I would say ‘What are you doing, you dirty bastard’.” Another victim expressed her fear that Storey was “untouchable,” citing his connections to the Masons and his role as a police officer. She described feeling “used” by him and found some of his sexual practices “painful and disgusting,” highlighting the emotional trauma inflicted.

Prosecutor Paul Kearney outlined how Storey subjected women to emotional, verbal, and physical abuse, with two victims also enduring sexual assault. He emphasized that the allegations were credible and not fabricated, stating, “You can be sure this was not three actresses who came to this court reading from an internal script.” The defense argued that Storey maintained his innocence, claiming he never laid a finger on the victims, but the jury found sufficient evidence to convict him.

Historical convictions also surfaced during the trial. In 1989, Storey was found guilty of assaulting a woman at a house in Galashiels, where he grabbed her and pushed her out, then seized her by the neck. Over the 1990s, two other women, now aged 46 and 41 respectively, testified about their own experiences of abuse. The second woman recounted how Storey assaulted her at various addresses, attempted to rape her, and was physically abusive, often grabbing her by the neck and pushing her. She described feeling “not very good about myself” and losing enjoyment in life.

The third woman detailed her suffering from abuse, including rape and indecent assault, which began in the 1990s. She recounted an incident where she was pushed against a cooker while Storey rained blows on her, struck her with a belt, and threw her onto a bed, subjecting her to punches and kicks. During the trial, she also revealed that Storey had attended anger management classes, though this did little to mitigate his violent tendencies.

In addition to the sexual assaults, Storey was convicted of attacking a two-year-old boy by shouting at him and grabbing him by his clothing. The court heard that his violent behavior extended to children as well, further illustrating the breadth of his misconduct.

Following the sentencing, Chief Superintendent Gill Imery expressed deep regret over the case, emphasizing the betrayal of trust involved when a police officer commits such crimes. She underscored the importance of law enforcement agencies using all available resources to track down and prosecute abusers, regardless of their social standing or occupation. The case served as a stark reminder that no one is above the law, and that justice must be served to protect the community from individuals like Kevin Storey.