Man charged over sex attacks after BBC questions to police

An arrest has been made in connection with 1980s sex attacks after a BBC investigation uncovered multiple allegations dating back to that period. Four women came forward with claims of being sexually assaulted or raped by the same man in Dumfries during the 1980s and 90s, one when she was just 15. The BBC documentary titled “The Rapist In Our Town” was set to air, prompting police to arrest a man over the allegations made by two of the women featured in the program. Despite the women initially reporting the assaults to police 20 years ago, prosecutors opted not to pursue charges at that time.

The BBC’s Disclosure investigation, which began in April, revealed new alleged victims in the case and highlighted a potential lead missed by police two decades ago. The man in question, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, has denied all allegations, stating that the claims were thoroughly investigated in the past and he was never prosecuted. The prosecution’s decision not to pursue the case despite these claims has led to renewed interest and calls for justice from the victims.

One of the women, Fiona, detailed her harrowing experience with the man in 1989 when she was just 18 years old. Another victim, Fee, recounted a similar encounter in 1984 when she was 18 and working at a local bar. Both women initially chose not to disclose the assaults out of fear of not being believed. The BBC investigation further uncovered a third victim, Caroline, who described an incident from around 1982 where she was sexually assaulted by the same man in a phone booth.

Despite facing threats of defamation and initial inaction by the authorities, the victims continued to push for justice. Fiona, who reported additional leads in 2005 and again in 2020, expressed frustration at the slow progress in the case. A 48-year-old woman, also a victim, came forward with her story after 32 years of silence, emphasizing that the responsibility lies with the perpetrator and not the victims. The police responded to mounting pressure by making an arrest in connection with the reported sexual offences, signaling a potential breakthrough in the long-dormant case

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