WILLIAM WOOD OF NEWTON STEWART SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ABUSE IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

In a case that has shocked the community and drawn widespread condemnation, William Wood, a 71-year-old man from Newton Stewart, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of a series of heinous sexual and physical abuse charges spanning over two decades in the Dumfries and Galloway region.

Wood's criminal history, which dates back to the 1970s, includes disturbing acts of violence and sexual assault against multiple victims, including children and a male individual. The crimes came to light after an extensive eight-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow, where the jury meticulously examined the evidence presented against him.

During the trial, the court heard harrowing details of Wood’s abuse, which began when one of his victims was only six years old. Over the years, he subjected her to repeated sexual assaults, which resulted in her becoming pregnant three times. The first child was born in 1981 when the victim was just 16 years old; tragically, this child was born with severe disabilities, being blind and deaf, and died at the age of 23. The second child, born in 1985, survived only three months, while the third, born in 1987, was reported to be healthy.

In addition to the abuse of this victim, Wood also targeted a second girl, whom he raped on multiple occasions over a 12-year period. She endured not only sexual violence but also physical assaults and threats, which left lasting scars. The court also heard that Wood attacked a male victim, physically forcing him to the ground and punching him, further illustrating his capacity for violence.

The charges against Wood included nine counts of rape, attempted rape, threats, and assault, all of which he was convicted of by the jury. The offences took place across various locations within Dumfries and Galloway, with the abuse spanning from 1970 to 1991.

At the sentencing hearing held at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Stewart addressed the court, describing the case as one marked by “sub-human depravity and tear-jerking misery.” He emphasized the severity and duration of Wood’s offending, noting that the crimes involved vulnerable victims who were often under his complete control. The judge expressed disappointment that Wood remained in denial and had never shown remorse for his actions.

Lord Stewart sentenced William Wood to a total of 22 years in prison, taking into account the gravity of his crimes and the need for justice. The judge explained that, had he imposed consecutive sentences for each offence, the total would have far exceeded the remaining years of Wood’s life. Instead, he cumulated the sentences, with the longest being fourteen years for the abuse against victim A, who was raped from age six to 25 and gave birth to three children, two of whom suffered from birth defects. The court also sentenced Wood to seven years for crimes committed against victim B, who was raped from age six to fifteen, and one year for assaults on victim C, a male victim he attacked between the ages of six and twenty.

Throughout the proceedings, the court considered the Criminal Justice Social Inquiry Report and the mitigation presented on Wood’s behalf. Despite his long-standing employment as a forester and his marriage of 50 years, the judge highlighted that the seriousness and duration of his offences warranted a substantial prison sentence. Wood’s only previous conviction was for benefits fraud, and he has been in custody since his conviction on April 29, 2013.

In conclusion, Lord Stewart reaffirmed the court’s stance that such acts of depravity cannot be tolerated in a civilized society. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of abuse and the importance of justice for victims who have endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of William Wood in Newton Stewart and the wider Dumfries and Galloway area.