STEPHEN CRAIG'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN GLASGOW AND STIRLING: 12-YEAR SENTENCE FOR SEX OFFENSES AGAINST CHILDREN

In March 2017, a man named Stephen Craig was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual crimes committed across Glasgow and Stirling. The 52-year-old offender's criminal activities spanned over two decades, involving the abuse of multiple young girls, including a particularly disturbing incident where he attempted to assault a four-year-old girl. His actions were characterized by extreme violence and cruelty, leaving a lasting impact on his victims.

Craig's criminal record includes holding a knife to the neck of a different female victim, whom he repeatedly raped over a period of 24 years. His pattern of abuse was extensive, and he was previously found guilty of abusing three other young girls during the same timeframe. The severity and duration of his crimes prompted a serious judicial response.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Norman Ritchie QC delivered a stern verdict, sentencing Craig to 12 years in prison. The judge described Craig’s crimes as an “appalling catalogue” of violence and sexual abuse, emphasizing the gravity of his offenses. He acknowledged the bravery of Craig’s victims for coming forward and giving evidence, recognizing the profound and long-lasting trauma inflicted upon them.

Judge Ritchie also addressed the issue of risk assessment, stating that the social work report’s conclusion that Craig posed a low risk of reoffending was not credible. The judge pointed out that the report itself suggested Craig needed close monitoring after his release, which he found to be a more accurate reflection of the danger Craig posed. The judge made it clear that any reasonable person would see Craig as a significant risk to the community.

Throughout the trial, Craig was convicted on 12 charges, including multiple counts of rape, lewd and libidinous behavior, indecent assaults, and sexual assaults against children. His offenses included not only physical violence but also verbal abuse, with derogatory name-calling and threats, such as placing a knife at a victim’s throat and threatening to kill her. These crimes were committed over a period from 1987 to 2011, highlighting a long history of predatory behavior that spanned several decades and multiple locations in Glasgow and Stirling.