STUART HARDING, ORKNEY MAN, SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR SERIAL SEXUAL OFFENSES IN BIRSAAY AND KIRKWALL

A man identified as Stuart Harding, aged 35, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 15 years following his conviction for a series of heinous sexual crimes committed in the Orkney Islands, specifically in the villages of Birsay and Kirkwall. Harding’s criminal activities spanned several years and involved multiple victims, including women and young girls, highlighting a disturbing pattern of manipulative and predatory behavior.

Harding was found guilty of a total of 12 criminal charges after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. The charges included five counts of rape and two counts of attempted rape, among other sexual offenses. Despite his denial of the allegations during the proceedings, the court’s jury was convinced of his guilt based on the evidence presented. The judge, Lord Summers, emphasized the gravity of Harding’s crimes, describing them as a series of serious sexual offenses that caused significant trauma to the victims.

The criminal timeline begins in 2012 when Harding assaulted and raped a woman at a property in Kirkwall. Over the subsequent years, his offending escalated, with additional victims coming forward. In 2015, he raped a second woman, and in 2016, he attacked a third woman. His predatory behavior extended further when he sexually assaulted and repeatedly attempted to rape a 12-year-old girl in a car park near a beach, an incident that underscores the severity of his offenses against minors. Additionally, Harding provided alcohol to another young girl, aged 15, with whom he engaged in sexual activity, further illustrating his manipulative tactics and disregard for the law.

During the trial, prosecutor Catriona MacLeod highlighted the strength of the evidence against Harding, describing it as “clear and compelling,” which led to his conviction. Defense counsel Iain McSporran KC maintained Harding’s innocence, asserting that his client believed he had been wrongly accused and suffered a miscarriage of justice. Harding, who was watching the sentencing via a TV link from prison, was informed that he would also be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities post-release.

Katrina Parkes, the Procurator Fiscal overseeing high court sexual offense cases, condemned Harding as a “manipulative sexual predator” who moved from victim to victim. She acknowledged the profound impact his actions likely had on those affected and praised their bravery in coming forward. Parkes urged other victims of similar crimes to report their experiences, assuring them of support and the use of all available legal tools to seek justice. Police Scotland’s Detective Inspector Calum Reid also condemned Harding’s actions, describing them as “reprehensible.”

In delivering the sentence, Lord Summers detailed the court’s considerations, including the nature of Harding’s offenses against both adult women and minors. He acknowledged Harding’s age at the time of some offenses and applied appropriate sentencing brackets, ultimately arriving at a cumulative sentence of 15 years. The judge also ordered Harding to serve additional time on the sex offenders register and imposed non-harassment orders for 20 years on two of the victims, ensuring ongoing protection for them.

It was noted that Harding’s last known offending occurred in 2019, and no further criminal activity has been reported since then. Given this, along with his first conviction for sexual offenses and the period he has spent in custody, the court decided not to extend his sentence further through parole or additional detention. Harding’s case underscores the importance of victim testimony and the justice system’s commitment to holding offenders accountable, especially in cases involving vulnerable victims in remote communities like Birsay and Kirkwall in Orkney.