Terrance Oliphant

An 84-year-old man from Blackburn, Aberdeenshire, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for a catalogue of child sex offences that began over half a century ago. Terrance Oliphant admitted five charges, including rape, indecent assault, and indecent behaviour, against a girl and a boy who were nine years old when the abuse started. The offences occurred between 1969 and 1981 in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen.

The case came to light after one of the victims made disclosures during counselling sessions, leading to Oliphant's report to the police. At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Norman McFadyen described Oliphant's actions as 'depraved' and particularly heinous because they were directed towards two young children. The judge noted that Oliphant would have faced a 10-year sentence but for his guilty pleas, which spared the victims from having to give evidence in court.

Advocate depute Jane Farquharson QC outlined the details of the abuse to the court, emphasising that Oliphant had now taken responsibility for the most serious aspects of the offending. Defence solicitor advocate Iain Paterson acknowledged that Oliphant had accepted responsibility for these 'terrible crimes' and was aware he would be going to prison. Paterson highlighted Oliphant's minor age-related health problems and requested leniency from the judge.

Detective Inspector Carron McKellar of Police Scotland described the abuse as 'horrendous' and 'despicable', stating that Oliphant had subjected the two young children to years of exploitation for his own pleasure. Oliphant was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely following his sentencing on 10 February 2020.