Latest Offenders Musselburgh

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A serial rapist who terrorised one of his victims in her home while out on bail for attacking her has been jailed for 12 years.

Gary Yuill, 45, was wearing a balaclava when he woke the sleeping woman as she slept on her sofa.

He removed the mask before fleeing the East Lothian house when she called 999.

Just three days before, Yuill had been banned from approaching the woman after he was charged with a series of attacks on her and three other victims.

The woman told the High Court in Edinburgh : "He was obviously watching the house. I was terrified.

"He had his hand on my leg. I didn't know what he was thinking."

The woman said she knew Yuill had previously been arrested and was subject to court conditions not to come near her home. She said: "Clearly he has no regard for the law."

'Long-lasting impact'

The woman and three others were subjected to a series of brutal attacks by Yuill over a 17-year period between 2004 and 2021.

They took place in Dunbar, Haddington and Wallyford, in East Lothian, and in Edinburgh.

Yuill, formerly of Wallyford, was convicted of 21 offences, including nine rapes, an attempted rape and two indecent assaults. He was also found guilty of breaching bail by entering the woman's home in May 2021.

Sentencing him to 12 years in prison, judge Lady Wise described his attacks as "appalling" and added: "All four women were to some extent vulnerable."

Lady Wise said: "I have read a victim impact statement from one of the complainers which illustrates very clearly the long-lasting impact your behaviour has had on her."

The judge ordered that Yuill should be under supervision for a further four-year period after his release and could be returned to jail if he breaches his licence conditions.

Lady Wise made non-harassment orders banning Yuill indefinitely from contacting or attempting to contact the women.

She also placed Yuill on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.

Following sentencing, Det Insp Laura White said: "Yuill subjected these women to horrific crimes and I would like to thank them for their co-operation as our investigations were ongoing. Hopefully today's verdict will allow them to move on from this part of their lives.

"I would urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual violence to come forward and report it to us, regardless of the passage of time. We, alongside partner agencies, will support you through the process, investigate thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice."

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Sheila Hamilton spat in the man's face and said "you are a f***ing bastard touching a 10-year-old and a 14-year-old

A shocked pensioner from Prestonpans assaulted a convicted paedophile who she claims molested a young family member.

Sheila Hamilton exploded in anger at Barry Sammon after bumping into the sex offender while out shopping in nearby Musselburgh.

Hamilton, 65, shouted and swore at the man within the Home Bargains store in Musselburgh, East Lothian, branding him a paedophile and a dirty bastard.

Sammon moved away from the situation but was soon confronted again by the irate OAP who then spat in the sex offender's face before being dragged away by a family member.

Police were called in to deal with the disturbance and Hamilton, of [REMOVED], East Lothian, was subsequently arrested and charged following the incident in February this year.

The pensioner appeared in the dock at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (11 December) where she was handed a fine of 100.

Sheriff John Cook said: Clearly you shouldnt have done what you did but matters such as this do evoke high emotions.

You did cause a disturbance in the shop, but as you are 65 and have no previous convictions I propose to impose a financial penalty.

Fiscal depute Jo Dunn said Hamilton was shopping with a family member at the store at around 5.40pm on February 11 this year when she and Sammon met.

Ms Dunn said: The witness Sammon was within Home Bargains when he overheard the accused stating to a staff member Do you know that there is a paedophile in your shop?

She said to him You are a paedophile - you are a dirty bastard.

Mr Sammon moved away but was again approached by the accused who shouted You are a f***ing bastard touching a ten-year-old and a 14-year-old.

She then spat on the right side of his face before being dragged away by her daughter.

Solicitor Cameron Tait, defending, said his client was disabled and has no previous convictions.

Mr Tait added the assault was completely out of character for Hamilton and that she said one of Sammons victims had been a family member of the woman.

He added: She was out shopping that day and lost her temper.

But if she was to see this man again she will walk the other way.

Hamilton admitted to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing, acting in aggressive manner and uttering abusive remarks at Home Bargains, Musselburgh, on February 11 this year.

The pensioner also pleaded guilty to assaulting Barry Sammon by spitting on his head during the same incident.

Barry Sammon was convicted of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl and an adult woman following a trial at Haddington Sheriff Court in March 2013.

Sammon was placed on the sex offenders register for three years.