LESLEY HANSON'S HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN DRUMMUIR, KEITH, AND MILLTACK LEADS TO 12-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Drummuir, Keith, and Milltack, Leslie Hanson, a man aged 65, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against young girls over a decade ago. The crimes, which spanned from 1990 to 1998, involved Hanson raping two girls and abusing three other children, all of whom were under the age of 16 at the time of the offenses.

Hanson, who previously resided in Drummuir near Keith and later in Milltack, was convicted after a jury deliberated for less than two hours. The court heard that Hanson’s criminal activities included raping two victims when they were just 11 and 15 years old, respectively, and engaging in lewd and indecent behavior with three other minors. The severity of his actions was underscored by the High Court judge, Lord Woolman, who described Hanson’s conduct as a “horrifying catalogue of sexual crimes against five young females.”

During the sentencing hearing held in Edinburgh last Wednesday, Lord Woolman emphasized the gravity of Hanson’s offenses, stating, “It is plain that you embarked on a campaign of sexual offences.” The judge acknowledged that Hanson appeared before the court with a clean criminal record and noted his advanced age, as well as the fact that the crimes occurred many years ago. Nonetheless, Lord Woolman made it clear that the court’s primary concern was to reflect the seriousness of the crimes and the public’s abhorrence of such conduct.

He also highlighted the impact on the victims, who had provided evidence during Hanson’s earlier trial, and stressed that the sentence was intended to serve as a warning and deterrent to others. Hanson’s actions took place at addresses in the Keith and Drummuir areas, and he initially denied the charges. However, a jury swiftly convicted him of two counts of rape and four counts of lewd and indecent behavior.

Hanson’s defense lawyer, David Moggach, stated that his client maintained his innocence. Moggach explained that Hanson, who is now divorced, had previously worked as a printer in England before relocating to the north of Scotland, where he and his wife became foster parents. The lawyer added that Hanson and his wife had cared for between 30 and 40 children over the years and that several of these children had come forward to testify in his favor, describing him as a caring foster parent. Moggach also noted that Hanson was now retired, in poor health, and described him as a “quite frail 65-year-old,” asserting that there was no possibility of re-offending.

Despite Hanson’s claims of innocence, the court found him guilty, and he has been placed on the sex offenders’ register. The judge’s sentence aims to protect the public and reinforce the message that such conduct will be met with severe consequences, regardless of the passage of time or Hanson’s age.