In 2021, the Offender Database reported that Alan Williams, then 74, of Walker Court, Aberchirder, Aberdeenshire, was sentenced to four years in prison. On Wednesday, 18 August 2021, Williams was jailed at Perth Sheriff Court after being found guilty of “despicable” and “predatory” sexual attacks on a brother and sister in Perthshire and Angus.
The investigation established that Williams “systematically” abused his position as a trusted family friend to target the children for nearly a decade. The abuse of the boy began when he was just seven years old, involving “invasive” sex acts and physical violence where Williams pinned the child down. The offences took place at various locations in Angus, including Glenisla, Blairgowrie, and Friockheim, between 1999 and 2008.
Judicial Findings and Victim Impact
Sheriff William Wood emphasised that Williams’ conduct was “disgusting,” noting that he had used his closeness to the family to facilitate the “reprehensible” abuse. The court heard that the victims, who were aged seven and nine when the attacks began, suffered ongoing psychological issues “linked to the abuse” they suffered at his hands. Despite the “gravity” of the evidence, Williams “persistently” maintains his innocence.
The prosecution reported that Williams was also convicted of serious sexual assaults against the girl, which continued until 2008. Although the defence argued that prison was “not necessary” due to a “low” risk assessment, the Sheriff ruled that custody was “inevitable” given the “systematic” nature of the betrayal and the age of the victims.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his “appalling” crimes in Perthshire and Angus, Alan Williams was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Four years in immediate custody.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were imposed indefinitely.
- Supervision: Requirement to be monitored upon release due to the nature of the “predatory” offending.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Williams is managed under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Police Scotland. His history of “calculatingly” befriending parents to gain access to their children means his status remains under “critical” scrutiny.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Williams must comply with strict notification requirements regarding his address in Aberchirder, Aberdeenshire. Authorities state that his four-year sentence reflects the “serious” nature of the trust he breached. Any breach of his registration conditions following his release will result in his immediate return to Perth Sheriff Court.
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