WILLIAM KING SENTENCED IN DUNFERMLINE FOR DECADES OF CHILD SEX ABUSE IN EDINBURGH AND INVERKEITHING
William King, a man from Dunfermline, has been handed a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses committed against young girls over a period spanning several years.The crimes, which took place primarily in Edinburgh and Inverkeithing, date back to the early 1990s and involved disturbing acts of abuse that have left lasting scars on the victims.
King, aged 52, was found guilty in the High Court in Edinburgh of raping a 12-year-old girl and coercing another child into performing a sexual act on him.
These offenses occurred between August 1992 and June 1995, with the abuse taking place at various residences in Edinburgh and Inverkeithing.
The court heard that King engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse with the girl, Dana Fowley, who chose to waive her right to anonymity to speak out about her ordeal.
Despite denying the charges, King was convicted of three sexual offenses, although he was acquitted on a separate charge of rape, which was recorded as a not proven verdict.
In addition to the conviction involving Dana Fowley, King was also found guilty of indecency towards a second girl, whom he preyed upon from the age of seven until she was ten, between 1990 and 1994.
This second victim was subjected to molestation and was forced to perform a sex act on King at various houses in Edinburgh and Inverkeithing.
The court was told that the abuse inflicted upon her was part of a prolonged pattern of exploitation and manipulation.
Lady Wolffe, presiding over the case, expressed her condemnation of King’s actions, emphasizing the importance of society’s rejection of such heinous crimes.
She highlighted the vulnerability of the young victims and underscored the severity of the abuse committed over many years.
Outside the court, Dana Fowley, now 36, shared her relief and satisfaction at the verdict, stating, “I am delighted.
I have been waiting 19 years for this.” She recounted her long journey of reporting the abuse, which she first disclosed to police in 1997, and detailed the extensive suffering she endured as a child, which she linked to her mother, her stepfather Billy senior (King’s late father), his grandparents, and other accomplices.
Fowley revealed that her abuse began when she was just five years old and described the trauma as “devastating.” She also spoke about her mother’s incarceration for her role in the abuse, alongside others such as Caroline Dunsmore, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2007, John O'Flaherty, who received a 13-year sentence, and Morris “Mo” Petch, who was given a life sentence that same year.
Fowley’s experiences were later documented in a book titled “How could she?” which explores her journey through trauma and recovery.
Detective Sergeant Graham Watson of Police Scotland commented on the case, expressing hope that the lengthy sentence would provide some measure of comfort to King’s victims, who demonstrated remarkable bravery in coming forward.
He emphasized that King’s refusal to accept responsibility for his actions had prolonged their suffering and that police remain committed to tackling sexual crimes and encouraging victims to seek justice.
Watson reaffirmed Police Scotland’s dedication to prioritizing the fight against sexual abuse and supporting those affected by such crimes.
