Police have commended the bravery of a rape victim after evidence she provided led to the imprisonment of a 21-year-old man at the High Court in Edinburgh.
William Hailes was convicted at the High Court last month, and was sentenced to four years imprisonment today (Thursday, July 16).
He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Detective Constable Jill Findlay, of West Lothian’s Public Protection Unit, said: “I would like to commend the victim who bravely came forward and assisted the police.
“Hailes’ guilty plea is testament to the evidence she provided and the investigative work carried out by officers in the Public Protection Unit.
“Hailes is now facing the consequences of his actions. His conviction and sentencing sends a clear message that we will always investigate reports of sexual abuse.
“Hopefully the bravery shown by the victim will give other individuals who have suffered abuse the strength to come forward and report crimes of this nature.
“We treat all reports of sexual crime – no matter when the offence happened – with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice.”
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