LEONARD WELSH SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN LIVINGSTON AND POLBETH

In a recent development in the ongoing fight against sexual crimes in West Lothian, Leonard Welsh, a 50-year-old man with connections to Livingston and Polbeth, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a series of heinous assaults on teenage girls. The case, which has garnered significant attention, highlights the severity of Welsh's offenses and the justice served.

According to court records, Welsh's most recent victim was a 15-year-old girl whom he encountered on the street in Livingston. After their initial meeting, Welsh invited her back to his residence located on Logan Way. The girl, trusting and unaware of his intentions, accepted the invitation. However, the situation quickly turned sinister. Welsh, without warning, grabbed her breast, and when she attempted to pull away, he responded by grabbing her hair, demonstrating a clear intent to dominate and control.

The young girl screamed for help, but Welsh quickly silenced her by covering her mouth with his hand. He then forcibly dragged her into a bedroom within his home, where he threatened her, saying, “Shut up and it will all be over and done with.” Despite her protests and attempts to resist, Welsh proceeded to remove her lower clothing and committed a sexual assault. The attack was a traumatic event that the victim would carry with her for years.

This assault only came to light three years later, when the victim was arrested for being found drunk and incapable. During police questioning, she disclosed the details of her ordeal, revealing the extent of Welsh’s predatory behavior. Welsh, who was then identified as living without a fixed address, admitted to the court that he had raped the girl in 1999.

Further investigations uncovered that Welsh had a disturbing history of sexual offenses. He also confessed to raping another 15-year-old girl multiple times between June 1988 and May 1989 at a house in the Knightsridge area of Livingston. The second victim made it clear that she did not want to engage in sexual activity with Welsh, but he used threats and intimidation to coerce her into compliance. The court heard that she lost count of the number of times Welsh assaulted her, estimating it could have been between 25 and 30 separate incidents.

During the proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Drummond Young addressed Welsh directly, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. He stated, “These offences involved threats of violence to the two unfortunate victims. It is clear a substantial custodial sentence is inevitable.” The judge’s comments underscored the seriousness of Welsh’s actions and the need for a strong judicial response to protect the community and deter similar offenses in the future.