PAUL MCFADYEN'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN EDINBURGH REVEAL HORRIFIC OFFENSES AGAINST YOUNG WOMEN

Paul McFadyen, a 61-year-old man from Edinburgh, was recently found guilty of a series of serious and disturbing crimes involving two young women. The court proceedings uncovered a pattern of predatory behavior that began with inappropriate and sexualized remarks directed at the victims, which gradually escalated into physical assaults. These assaults included grabbing, gripping, and bottom-pinching, actions that caused significant trauma to the victims involved.

One of the most heinous acts committed by McFadyen was the indecent assault of a woman inside a vehicle parked at an industrial estate in Ayrshire. The assault was carried out in a secluded area, and the court heard detailed accounts of the incident. Additionally, McFadyen was convicted of raping another woman in a car parked in a layby in Renfrewshire, further highlighting the severity of his criminal conduct.

During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, McFadyen displayed a lack of remorse by clapping during an outburst in court. This disruptive behavior led to proceedings being temporarily halted in his absence. The court was informed that McFadyen had a history of offending, including previous attempts to lure teenagers into his vehicle. In 2017, he was added to the sex offenders' register after threatening behavior towards minors. His criminal record also includes convictions related to indecent images of children, which he committed in 2019.

Lady Poole, the presiding judge, described McFadyen’s conduct as 'appallingly' abusive towards victims who were significantly younger and physically smaller than him. She emphasized that his actions had long-lasting and serious impacts on those affected. The judge sentenced McFadyen to an extended term of nine years, consisting of six years in prison followed by three years on license. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and prohibited from contacting his victims for a period of 20 years. The authorities expressed hope that this sentence would provide some measure of relief to the victims and serve as a deterrent to others.

In her sentencing statement, Lady Poole highlighted the gravity of McFadyen’s offenses, noting that he was convicted of multiple sexual offenses, including rape, against two women. She acknowledged the impact on the victims, citing victim impact statements that detailed the long-term harm caused by his actions. The judge also reviewed McFadyen’s criminal history, which, although relatively short before his 56th birthday, included convictions for threatening and abusive behavior towards minors and possession of indecent images of children.

The court considered a criminal justice social work report, which indicated that McFadyen posed a high risk of reoffending with potential for serious harm. Despite his age and some positive aspects of his background, including qualifications and employment history, his recent health issues and mental health problems were also taken into account. The report concluded that no other form of punishment would be appropriate given the seriousness of his crimes.

Lady Poole explained that the sentence was backdated to November 23, 2023, with McFadyen having been in custody since December 7, 2023. Additional time was added to account for earlier remand periods. As part of his sentence, McFadyen is now subject to the notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for an indefinite period. His name has been added to the list of individuals deemed unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups. He is also prohibited from approaching or contacting his victims by any means, including electronic communication, for the next 20 years, ensuring long-term protection for those affected by his crimes.