TAYLOR WHYTE FROM PERTH AND KINROSS FOUND GUILTY OF RAPE AND ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR IN LIVINGSTON

A 21-year-old care worker from Perth and Kinross, Taylor Whyte, has been convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a teenage girl. The incident took place when Whyte was just 17 years old, and the victim was 19 at the time of the assault. The case garnered significant attention due to Whyte’s role as a caregiver, responsible for the well-being of elderly individuals and those suffering from dementia.

The victim described the assault as a traumatic experience that caused her to vomit, highlighting the severity of the attack. Following a detailed five-day trial at the High Court in Livingston, a jury deliberated for over four hours before reaching a verdict. The jury's decision was by a majority, indicating some division among the jurors, but ultimately, they found Whyte guilty of rape.

In addition to the conviction for rape, the jury also unanimously found him guilty of engaging in a course of abusive behavior directed towards the same victim. This finding underscores the pattern of misconduct that the court recognized in the case.

Judge Jane Farquharson, presiding over the case, responded to the verdict by revoking Whyte’s bail, citing the seriousness of the offenses. She ordered a deferred sentence, pending the preparation of background reports, which are scheduled to be considered on June 20 at the same court. The case has raised concerns about the conduct of individuals in caregiving roles and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations from abuse.