In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Gordon Docherty, 37, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of “serious” sexual offences committed in Orkney. Docherty was sentenced at the High Court in Inverness on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, following a trial that exposed a history of “abhorrent” behaviour spanning nearly two decades.
The Police Scotland investigation led to Docherty being found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh on 4 November 2025. The charges related to “vicious” sexual offences committed against two teenagers in 2006 and 2008, as well as an assault against a woman in 2020.
Sentencing and Indefinite Protection
Detective Inspector Calum Reid reported that Docherty’s actions were “reprehensible” and thanked the victims for their vital support in securing a conviction. For his crimes in Orkney, Gordon Docherty was:
- Sentenced to 12 years in prison.
- Placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
- Made subject to an indefinite non-harassment order.
The indefinite non-harassment order ensures that Docherty is legally prohibited from contacting or approaching his victims for the rest of his life, providing a layer of permanent protection and closure for those he harmed.
Historical and Recent Abuse
The conviction emphasised that Police Scotland remains committed to investigating both historic and recent reports of sexual offending. Docherty’s “vile” attacks on teenagers in 2006 and 2008 were successfully prosecuted alongside his 2020 offence, ensuring that his long-term “behaviour” was finally held to account by the Scottish justice system.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Docherty is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Police Scotland. His history of “serious” sexual violence in Orkney and his 12-year custodial term mean he will be under the most “serious” level of supervision upon his eventual release.
As a registered sex offender, Docherty must comply with strict notification requirements for the rest of his life. Police Scotland emphasises that their partnership with agencies like Rape Crisis Scotland and Women’s Aid is essential in supporting survivors throughout the “gruelling” legal process.
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