MATTHEW RAMAGE FROM BRECHIN AND EDZELL DENIED APPEAL IN SCOTLAND CHILD RAPE CASE

In a recent development in a long-standing and deeply disturbing case, Matthew Ramage, a 72-year-old man with connections to Brechin and Edzell, faced the rejection of his appeal against a conviction for heinous sexual offenses. The case, which has garnered significant attention across Scotland, particularly in the Tayside region, culminated in a High Court hearing held in Edinburgh, where senior judges dismissed Ramage’s bid to overturn both his conviction and his 11-year prison sentence.

Ramage, a former gamekeeper who worked at the Gannochy Estate in Edzell, was found guilty in 2011 of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of six young girls over a span of more than two decades. The jury convicted him of ten counts of rape and sexual assault, crimes that took place between June 1973 and May 1994 at various locations across Scotland, including the towns of Edzell and Lanark. The victims, whose ages ranged from 12 to 16 at the time of the abuse, endured years of suffering in silence, with one victim only revealing her ordeal after her granddaughter began to grow up.

One of the most harrowing aspects of the case is that Ramage’s first known victim was his niece, whom he first abused when she was just 11 years old. The victim, now an adult, confronted Ramage in court during the recent hearing, expressing her feelings of no pity for the man who had inflicted such trauma upon her decades earlier. Her testimony underscored the enduring pain caused by his actions and the importance of justice.

During the appeal proceedings, Ramage’s legal representative, solicitor advocate Ann Ogg, argued that there was insufficient evidence to uphold the conviction, suggesting that the case should be reconsidered. However, the panel of judges, led by Lord Carloway, the Lord Justice Clerk, firmly rejected these arguments. The judges upheld the original verdict, affirming that the evidence was sufficient to sustain the conviction and that the sentence was appropriate given the circumstances.

Lord Carloway’s written judgment emphasized that Ramage’s personal background and conduct in prison did not warrant a reduction in his sentence. The court noted that Ramage had been married for over 50 years and had maintained a good work record as a gamekeeper and river manager since 1955. The judges also highlighted that Ramage was considered a first-time offender and assessed as being at low risk of re-offending. The court further stated that the seven-year minimum of his 11-year sentence was not excessive, especially considering the gravity of the crimes committed against an 11-year-old girl.

As of September of this year, Ramage had served approximately two years of his sentence, which was initially reduced from 14 years due to his age at the time of sentencing. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of justice for victims of sexual abuse, and the courts have reaffirmed that individuals like Ramage should never be allowed to re-enter society without thorough scrutiny and appropriate punishment.