WILLIAM STABLES REPEATEDLY OFFENDS IN ABERDEEN AND SEATON: CHILD RAPIST BACK BEHIND BARS

In December 2015, William Stables, a notorious paedophile with a long history of sexual offenses, found himself once again incarcerated after breaching the conditions of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

Stables, a pensioner who has been convicted multiple times for heinous crimes against children, was caught loitering in Aberdeen’s Westburn Park, a location known for its popularity among families and children, on a bright Sunday afternoon. His presence in the park was a clear violation of the strict restrictions imposed by his SOPO, which explicitly forbids him from being in areas where children are likely to gather, such as parks, schools, and leisure centers.

William Stables, aged 76 at the time, had previously been sentenced to ten years in prison in January 2002 after admitting to a series of sexual offenses against a young girl. His crimes spanned over four years, during which he subjected the girl to repeated acts of rape and abuse. Following his release on license in September 2008, Stables was under close supervision, with specific conditions designed to prevent him from reoffending.

However, between September 2, 2013, and November 27, 2014, Stables was found to have been using a Bank of Scotland account without informing the police, which was a breach of his legal restrictions. The situation escalated when police officers, acting on intelligence, encountered him loitering in Aberdeen’s Westburn Park. The officers observed him in the park, which was bustling with children, despite his known restrictions.

The court was informed that Stables was under a condition that prohibited him from being in certain areas or loitering near places where children might be present, including schools, parks, and leisure centers. His repeated breaches of this order, totaling four violations, demonstrated a pattern of disregard for the legal restrictions meant to protect the public.

During the hearing, Stables’s solicitor, John McLeod, explained that his client was honest with police when approached on June 14 of that year. McLeod stated that Stables immediately disclosed his status as a sex offender and claimed he was only in the park to “kill time” while waiting for his pastor. The solicitor argued that Stables did not intend to approach any children and believed he was not in breach of his order.

Nevertheless, the police only realized he had violated his restrictions after they returned to their station without him and checked their records. The court was told that Stables, who was residing in the Balnagask area of Torry, was struggling financially and would have difficulty maintaining his house and car if he faced a lengthy prison sentence.

Sheriff Graham Buchanan, however, emphasized the seriousness of the breaches, especially considering Stables’s prior violations. Given his history and the repeated nature of his offenses, the sheriff sentenced him to 15 months in prison, a sentence that was backdated to July, when he was first remanded in custody.

In a separate case from July 2010, William Stables was again sent back to prison for breaching a court order. This time, he was found to have purchased or used a car—specifically a red Renault Clio and a red Ford Focus—despite restrictions forbidding him from doing so. Police discovered these vehicles parked outside his sheltered housing complex in Seaton, a coastal suburb of Aberdeen.

Stables admitted to the charges after appearing in private at the city’s sheriff court and was remanded to await sentencing. His defense argued that, at age 70, he had simply forgotten to inform the police about his intentions to buy or use a vehicle, claiming he believed he had already informed all relevant authorities. The court was told that Stables had previously been convicted in January 2002 of serious sexual offenses against a young girl, which included rape and abuse over a period from 1997 to 2001. His crimes took place at his home in Aberdeen, as well as in a camper van in Fordoun and Inverbervie, often during weekends when the girl visited his residence.

During his 2002 trial, Lord Bonomy described Stables’s actions as “disgusting and vile,” emphasizing the gravity of his offenses against a vulnerable child. The court also heard that Stables had engaged in lewd, indecent, and unlawful sexual acts with the girl, which included repeated rapes and other forms of abuse. The judge sentenced him to ten years in prison, and upon his release, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Despite his lengthy criminal history, Stables continued to offend, leading to multiple breaches of court orders. His repeated violations, including loitering in areas frequented by children and unauthorized use of vehicles, highlight ongoing risks and his persistent disregard for legal restrictions. The courts have consistently responded with custodial sentences, underscoring the seriousness with which the justice system treats his offenses and breaches.