SHAUN NOLAN'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN EDINBURGH: MONSTER RAPIST SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS BEHIND BARS

In a case that has shocked the community of Edinburgh, Shaun Nolan, a 54-year-old man from Corstorphine Road, was convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving two victims, one of whom was a young girl at the time of the abuse. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that spanned over several years, leaving lasting scars on those affected.

It was a brave school pupil who ultimately brought Nolan’s crimes to light. The young victim, overwhelmed by the trauma, confided in a teacher by writing a distressing note on a Post-it, stating, “I’ve been getting sexually abused.” This initial disclosure prompted further communication with staff, who then alerted the police authorities. The investigation uncovered a deeply disturbing history of abuse that Nolan had inflicted upon the teenager, beginning in August 2015 when she was only 10 years old. The court heard that Nolan, who was residing in Edinburgh, had raped the girl and continued to sexually assault her until November 2020, a period of over five years.

Following the disclosures, police arrested Nolan, and detectives delved into his past. Their inquiries revealed that Nolan had also sexually abused another victim, a woman who was just 14 years old at the time of the assault in 2002. The abuse of this second victim started when Nolan was 34 and persisted for approximately two years, from June 2002 to June 2004. The court was informed that Nolan initially denied any wrongdoing during his arrest but later admitted guilt, stating simply, “I’m guilty,” after providing ‘no comment’ responses during questioning.

During the sentencing hearing, the court was presented with the harrowing accounts of the victims. The older victim, who was assaulted in 2002, expressed her outrage and disappointment at the length of Nolan’s prison sentence, describing him as “a monster.” She stated, “This is not the justice we expected but any years is better than none. He deserves to rot.” The judge, Lord Richardson, acknowledged the profound impact Nolan’s actions had on his victims, describing the abuse as “deeply traumatising” and emphasizing that the victims had suffered significant, lasting stress, distress, and harm as a result of his conduct.

In his sentencing remarks, Lord Richardson condemned Nolan’s actions as utterly appalling, highlighting the severe emotional and psychological damage inflicted upon the victims. Nolan was convicted of multiple charges, including rape and sexual assault, and was sentenced to a total of six years and eight months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender, a standard procedure in cases of this nature. Nolan was present at the hearing via video link from prison, where he listened as the judge delivered the sentence.

Before concluding the proceedings, Lord Richardson offered a final piece of advice to Nolan, urging him to take advantage of any opportunities provided in custody to address and modify his offending behavior. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of Nolan’s crimes and the lasting impact on his victims, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals in Edinburgh.