RONALD WATSON FROM INVERURIE JAILED FOR ABUSING YOUNG GIRL IN ABERDEENSHIRE

In April 2021, a disturbing case involving a pensioner from Inverurie captured public attention as he was sentenced for a series of heinous crimes against a young girl. Ronald Watson, aged 75, was found guilty of sexually abusing a girl under the age of 12 over a span of five years, during which he repeatedly engaged in inappropriate and criminal behavior.

Watson’s actions included touching the girl sexually on multiple occasions, as well as exposing himself in a sexual manner. He managed to convince the young victim that his disturbing conduct was “normal,” a manipulation that added a layer of psychological trauma to her physical abuse. It was only years later, when the girl received sexual education classes at school, that she came to understand that she had been subjected to abuse. This revelation was a turning point that led her to disclose the abuse to her guidance teacher, prompting the school to notify the police.

The crimes took place in Aberdeenshire during the 2010s, with Watson admitting to two charges related to the abuse. These charges included sexual assault on various occasions and indecent exposure, where he exposed his genitals with the intent that the girl would see. His admission of guilt was made during court proceedings, which culminated in his appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for sentencing.

During the hearing, Sheriff William Summers did not hold back in condemning Watson’s conduct. He described the actions as “shocking,” “appalling,” and “despicable,” emphasizing the profound and potentially lifelong impact such abuse could have on the victim. The sheriff also noted that Watson’s behavior was “likely to have profound and life-long consequences” for the young girl, underscoring the severity of the crimes.

Addressing Watson directly, Sheriff Summers stated, “These charges are simply too serious to be dealt with by anything other than a custodial sentence.” As a result, Watson was sentenced to 32 months in prison. Additionally, he was placed under the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act for an indefinite period, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.

The prosecution, represented by fiscal depute Colin Neilson, detailed the extent of Watson’s abuse, revealing that he had sexually assaulted the girl on “numerous occasions,” touching her chest and genitals. Neilson also highlighted Watson’s attempt to normalize his behavior by telling the girl that what he was doing was “normal.” The court was informed that the girl’s realization of the abuse came after her sexual education classes, which helped her understand that she had been victimized.

Neilson further explained that the girl eventually confided in her guidance teacher about the abuse, leading to police involvement. During police interviews, Watson was asked about the frequency of his inappropriate actions, to which he responded simply, “Quite a lot,” indicating a pattern of repeated misconduct over several years. The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Inverurie and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from such predatory behavior.