A 58-year-old man was convicted today at the High Court of a number of serious sexual offences which took place at various addresses in Edinburgh and an address in Dumfries between 1990 and 2002.
Robert Hawkins was found guilty of serious sexual assaults on a boy from the age of 6-9-years-old; a girl aged 6-7-years-old and two women who are now aged 57 and 53.
He had already pled guilty to being in possession of indecent images of children.
Following a significant investigation by Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit, substantial evidence was gathered against Hawkins before he was subequently arrested and charged in connection with these offences. He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Wednesday 18th July.
Detective Sergeant David Brady from Edinburgh’s PPU said, “What is clear is that Robert Hawkins is a dangerous and predatory individual who has committed a number of extremely serious sexual offences against a range of victims over a period of time.
“The evidence compiled by Police Scotland against Hawkins was overwhelming and in no small part, was thanks to the bravery of his victims in coming forward to report the abuse they had suffered at his hands.
“We treat all reports of sexual crime with the utmost seriousness and will investigate any such offences thoroughly and professionally to bring perpetrators to justice, while at the same time providing all the necessary support and assistance to victims.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
