Fife rapist Allen Lothian targeted four-year-old boy and stalked victim on Facebook

A rapist who later bombarded his four-year-old victim on social media has been jailed.

Allen Lothian, 23, set up around 140 accounts on Facebook between October 2014 and June 2018 to pursue his victim.

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

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

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.

The story emerged after Lothian, of Anstruther, Fife, pleaded guilty on January 26, 2023 to rape and sexual assault charges involving the first complainer and another young boy.

He raped his first victim whilst holding a knife to him and threatening him.

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

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.”

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

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

Speaking about his client’s upbringing, Mr Anderson said: “His background is dreadful. I can say he’s had an appalling life.”

Judge Morris told Lothian, who observed proceedings via video link from prison, that he would serve nine years in jail.

He added: “You pleaded guilty to a series of very serious sexual offences and the only sentence available to me in these circumstances is a custodial one.

“Your name will also be added to the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period.”