SAMUEL DICKSON FROM EAST KILBRIDE AND GLASGOW SENTENCED TO 8 YEARS FOR CHILD RAPE

In September 1996, Samuel Dickson, an 85-year-old man from East Kilbride and Glasgow, was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two young sisters. His conviction marks a grim milestone as he is now recognized as the oldest convicted sex offender in Scotland.

At the time of sentencing, Dickson appeared frail, nearly blind and deaf, clutching a white walking stick as he was led into the courtroom. The severity of his physical condition was evident, and witnesses reported that police officers had to assist him down the stairs to reach the cells. Friends of Dickson expressed their belief that he expects to spend the remainder of his life behind bars, with some suggesting he anticipates dying in prison.

The abuse committed by Dickson spanned several years, occurring nearly three decades prior to his conviction. One of his victims, now a 35-year-old mother of two, shared her feelings in an exclusive interview with the Record, stating, “My sister and I are ecstatic that he’s in prison. We really hope he dies there.” Her words reflect the long-lasting trauma inflicted by Dickson’s actions.

His arrest was triggered when he invited one of the sisters to his diamond wedding anniversary celebration last year. The invitation unexpectedly reopened painful memories, prompting her to confide in her husband about the abuse she endured. This revelation led to further investigation and ultimately to Dickson’s arrest.

The criminal acts began when the first victim was just nine years old, at Dickson’s former residence in Springburn, Glasgow. The abuse continued until she was 12. The second girl was subjected to similar abuse over a period from age five to 12. These disturbing details were presented during the trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Samuel Dickson, a veteran of World War Two and a resident of Calderwood, East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, pleaded guilty to two charges involving the abuse of the two sisters. The Crown, however, accepted his not guilty pleas to allegations involving other girls, indicating that those charges were not pursued further.

During sentencing, Lord Allanbridge acknowledged the difficulty in determining an appropriate punishment given Dickson’s advanced age but emphasized the seriousness of the crimes, stating, “The gravity of the offences demands a substantial prison sentence.”

Defense counsel John Morris QC argued that incarceration would be particularly harsh for Dickson, noting, “Prison will be very uncomfortable for him. His wife is housebound, and he says he probably will not see her again.” A family friend reportedly confirmed that Dickson had said a final farewell to his wife before heading to court.

However, the victims expressed no sympathy for Dickson. One of the sisters remarked, “Dickson may be old now, but he put us through hell. He doesn’t deserve to live—he’s a monster.” She further revealed that she and her sister had carried the burden of their trauma for years, and only recently discovered that her sibling had also been abused. “It was horrendous, and we cried together,” she said.

She urged others who have experienced childhood abuse to come forward, saying, “If you were abused as a child, for God’s sake, come forward.”

According to a Scottish Prison Service spokeswoman, Dickson will undergo assessments to determine if he requires special treatment while incarcerated. She explained, “If he is fit and able, there is no reason why he should not be treated like any other prisoner. But if his health could be affected, he may receive a more lenient role, such as working in a kitchen instead of scrubbing corridor floors.”

It is noted that there are currently 12 prisoners over the age of 70 in Scottish jails, including an 82-year-old, most of whom are serving short sentences for alcohol-related offenses.