SCOTT BEATTIE FROM BLACKBURN AND BURNTISLAND JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN WEST LOTHIAN AND LIVINGSTON

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In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Blackburn and Burntisland, Scott Beattie, a 31-year-old man with a troubling criminal history, was sentenced to prison after committing a series of heinous sexual offenses in Livingston, West Lothian.

Beattie’s latest crimes involved an attempted assault on a young girl in a family restaurant located in Livingston. According to court reports, he lured the seven-year-old victim into a locked cubicle in the restaurant’s restroom. Once inside, he exposed himself to her and attempted to pull down her trousers, actions that left the young girl terrified and distressed. The girl managed to escape the predator when Beattie unlocked the door and ordered her to wash her hands, a moment that allowed her to run back to her mother. The child later confided in police that she had tried to scream but was too frightened to do so.

Authorities quickly responded to the incident after reviewing CCTV footage from the restaurant, which captured Beattie’s movements and actions. During the investigation, officers discovered that Beattie was carrying a ‘rape kit’ in his rucksack, which included lubricant, latex gloves, and a lock knife—items that underscored the premeditated nature of his offending. It was also revealed that Beattie had a significant criminal record, with 21 previous convictions for a wide range of offenses.

At the time of the attack on the young girl, Beattie was on bail, having been charged with voyeurism for following a woman into a toilet at Livingston Designer Outlet and peering over the cubicle wall to watch her. This prior incident added to the severity of his criminal profile and highlighted ongoing issues with his behavior.

In court proceedings at Livingston Sheriff Court, a victim impact statement was read aloud, written by the mother of the seven-year-old victim. The statement detailed the emotional toll the incident had taken on her daughter, who was now experiencing nightmares involving “the bad man” and required comfort from her parents to calm her fears. The court was also informed that, despite her young age, the girl was aware of the danger she faced, and her innocence had been profoundly affected.

Prosecutor Deborah Demick emphasized the lasting psychological impact on the child, noting that she still frequently talks about the incident but, given her age, does not fully grasp the gravity of what happened. Fortunately, she does not appear to be worrying excessively about other potential threats, the court was told.

Scott Beattie, who resides in Blackburn, West Lothian, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including placing the young girl in a state of fear and alarm by pushing her into the cubicle, locking the door, exposing himself, and attempting to lower her trousers on February 15. He also admitted to following a woman into the female toilets at the Hot Flame restaurant in Livingston Centre on January 13, where he entered the middle cubicle next to hers and watched her while she used the facilities.

His defense lawyer, Kevin Dugan, acknowledged the seriousness of Beattie’s actions, citing a social worker’s assessment that his client posed a potential danger to the public in the future. Dugan stated, “A period of imprisonment is obviously merited here given the serious nature of the charges.”

During sentencing, Sheriff Martin Edington reviewed a psychological report indicating that Beattie suffers from borderline personality disorder. The sheriff criticized Beattie for attempting to minimize his involvement and suggested that he was willing to say anything to improve his situation. The report also revealed that Beattie has a strong sexual appetite and is at a high risk of reoffending, especially given his deviant sexual interests.

In his remarks, Sheriff Edington emphasized the importance of protecting the public from individuals like Beattie. He pointed out that the victim’s statement was a stark reminder of the real harm caused and concluded that only a lengthy custodial sentence would suffice. Beattie was sentenced to 49 months and two weeks in prison, with the sentence backdated to February 18. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to prevent further harm to the community.