Child rapist who started abusing victim when she was three succeeds in bid to have jail term cut

A sex offender who started the repeated rape of his victim when she was three years old has had his prison sentence cut.

Ronald Davidson, 55, was given a nine-year jail term last October following a trial before judge Lord Weir at the High Court in Edinburgh.

A jury heard how Davidson first abused his female victim in 1982 and he continued to sexually assault her until 1991.

Jurors also heard how he sexually abused a young boy at a house in Dunfermline, Fife.

Passing sentence, judge Lord Weir told Davidson that he perpetrated a “disgraceful course of sexual conduct” towards his victims.

However, lawyers for Davidson believed the sentence was excessive and that Lord Weir didn’t take into account his age at the time of offending.

Appeal judges Lord Matthews and Lord Doherty also heard their colleague didn’t consider how Davidson didn’t offend in the years between the abuse taking place and the case coming to court.

On Tuesday, the appeal judges agreed that the sentence imposed on Davidson was excessive and reduced it by two years.

Lord Matthews said: “The sentence will now be one of seven years.”

At his trial last year, Lord Weir noted that Davidson showed no remorse for his actions and told him: “The complainers have had to live with the consequences of what you did over a period of many years.”

He said: “You are aware there is no alternative to a significant custodial sentence.”

Davidson denied sexual abuse charges during proceedings but was found guilty of three offences.

He carried out indecent conduct towards the female victim from when she was aged three in 1982 until 1991 at four addresses in the Dunfermline area. Davidson molested the child and carried out sex acts on her.

He was also found guilty of raping her on various occasions at a house in Dunfermline and at a wooded area between February 1986 and February 1991.

Davidson was also convicted of a serious indecency offence against the boy on an occasion between July 1986 and July 1990 when the victim was aged between five and eight.

Defence counsel Kenneth Cloggie said: “His offending commenced when he was a child but it persisted until he was 21 years of age.”

“Sentences for this type of crime are appropriately significant and he knows that,” he told the court.

He said Davidson had a good work record and strong work ethic and has also cared for his wife for several years.

Davidson was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely following his sentencing.

On Tuesday, Davidson observed proceedings at the Court of Criminal Appeal via video link from prison.