WILLIAM WHYTE SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR RAPE IN WEST LOTHIAN

The Scottish justice system has officially confirmed the conviction of William Whyte, a 48-year-old man from West Lothian, who was sentenced to a six-year prison term at Edinburgh High Court on Thursday, 20 May. The court found Whyte guilty of a serious sexual offense—rape—that took place on Thursday, 29 April 2021. The incident involved the assault of a 15-year-old girl at an address located within West Lothian. The court proceedings revealed that the assaults occurred over a period spanning from 1 March to 31 May 1996, a timeline that underscores the lengthy period during which the crime remained unpunished.

Detective Constable Lynn Morrison, a member of the Non-Recent Crime Team based at the Livingston Public Protection Unit, highlighted the significance of the victim’s courage in coming forward after many years. She stated, “Despite the passage of time, the victim managed to provide us with a statement which allowed us to carry out this investigation. Had it not been for her bravery in coming forward, this crime could have gone unpunished. We continue to be committed to bringing all perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice. Time is no barrier for our enquiries. I would urge anyone who wishes to report sexual crime, regardless of when it happened, to contact us so we can conduct a thorough and professional investigation.”

William Whyte’s conviction marks a significant step in addressing historical sexual offenses within the West Lothian community, reaffirming the police’s dedication to pursuing justice regardless of how much time has passed since the crime was committed.