Allen Lothian set up 140 Facebook accounts to stalk young victim after sexually abusing him in Fife

An “obsessive and possessive” rapist who stalked his young victim through Facebook has been sent to prison after being convicted of sexual assault crimes.

Allen Lothian, 23, set up around 140 accounts on the social media network between October 2014 and June 2018 in order to pursue his victim.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Lothian sent his victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, messages in which he threatened to tell other people about the sex acts.

Judge John Morris KC heard how the youngster felt he had no other option but to contact Lothian after receiving the messages.

The court heard how the offender started abusing the boy in the East Neuk area of Fife when he was just four years old in 2006. The complainer’s ordeal lasted another 12 years and the court heard how his mental health has been badly affected by Lothian’s offences.

Prosecutor Martin Crawford told the court: “The accused was obsessive and possessive. He would be angry if the complainer did not want to visit him.

“The accused would threaten to tell other people about the sexual assaults between them. He would also threaten to hurt himself or hurt the complainer.

“The accused would add the complainer to Facebook groups. He would message the complainer on a daily basis.

“The complainer felt that he had to visit the accused.

“During the period between October 5, 2014 and June 30, 2018, the accused stalked the complainer. The accused would repeatedly set up Facebook accounts – the complainer would in turn block the accounts. The complainer would continually block the accounts.

“The accused would persist. He set up around 140 Facebook accounts in various names to contact him.”

The story emerged after Lothian, of Anstruther, Fife, pleaded guilty to rape and sexual assault charges involving the first complainer and another young boy.

The charges faced by Lothian tell of how he raped his first victim whilst holding a knife to him and threatening him.

He also forced his young victim to watch child sex abuse videos and would threaten to hurt himself if his victim didn’t respond to his demands.

Mr Crawford told Judge Morris that the first victim in the case is dealing with “flashbacks” and “nightmares” and is having to take medication to help him.

The advocate depute added: “He is receiving psychiatric support and has trouble leaving home.”

The court also heard that Lothian sexually assaulted another 11-year-old boy on an occasion between September 1, 2016 and September 25, 2016.

Defence advocate Michael Anderson KC said he’d reserve his mitigation until a sentencing hearing which is scheduled to take place later this year.

Lothian, who is currently on remand at HMP Perth, was taken back into custody after Judge Morris told him he was deferring sentence to call for reports.

Judge Morris added: “You will be added to the Sex Offenders Register.”

Lothian will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on February 22, 2023.