Rapist who drugged child with Valium to carry out sexual assaults jailed

A rapist who used Valium on a child so he could sexually assault her has been given eight years in prison.

Alexander Davidson, 72, gave diazepam to the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, so she could be intoxicated.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Davidson used the drug on the child to rape her on various occasions at locations in East Lothian between October 1987 and October 1992.

The court also heard how Davidson raped the child when she was asleep.

Jurors heard how she was one of two victims targeted by Davidson, who now uses a wheelchair. He started sexually assaulting another girl in June 1987, who was aged eight. The abuse against this child continued until 1993.

Davidson managed to evade justice for 30 years. One of his victims spoke to the police about the abuse she suffered in the early 1990s.

However, detectives managed to gather enough evidence to bring Davidson to trial in 2024. He denied any wrongdoing but a jury found him guilty on sexual assault and rape charges earlier this year.

On Friday, Davidson appeared in court for sentencing, and Lord Erich heard from defence advocate Victoria Dow about how the accused had “significant health difficulties”.

However, Lord Ericht told him he had to go to prison for his crimes.

Passing sentence, Lord Ericht said: “I have listened to everything which has been said on your behalf. You have been assessed as being at a moderate risk of reoffending.

“Given the nature of your offences, the sentence of the court must be a lengthy one.”

Davidson, of Edinburgh, was remanded in custody at the end of his trial earlier this year and called for reports.

Lord Ericht thanked jurors, who had spent a week listening to graphic details of sexual abuse, for their service.

He said: “This has not been a pleasant trial.”

The court heard how the attacks took place at addresses in Prestonpans, Tranent and Wallyford.

The girl who was forced to take Diazepam wept as she recalled what Davidson did to her and told the court that the abuse has had a lifelong impact on her.

When asked how long the abuse lasted for, the woman, who is now aged 48, said: “Too long. My lifestyle was chaotic and stuff.”

The woman said that Davidson told her to keep the abuse secret.

She added: “He told me not to tell anyone as he would have got into trouble.”

The woman said that she had told the police in 1992, but the matter did not proceed against him at that point in time.

Giving evidence, Davidson denied any wrongdoing. He told defence advocate Victoria Dow that he was innocent.

However, jurors refused to believe Davidson’s account of events and found him guilty of rape and sexual assault charges.

On Friday, Ms Dow told Lord Ericht: “He is not a man in good health. He had polio as a child. He has mobility issues, COPD and heart issues.”

Davidson has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life