A 35-year-old man, Stuart Harding Orkney Paedophile, has received a term for committing violent and severe sexual offences in Orkney. Stuart Harding was sentenced to 15 years at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Wednesday, 5 March 2025. He was additionally placed on the Sex Offenders Register and subjected to a 20-year non-harassment order.
He was convicted of several sexual offences, including rape, against three women and two female minors between June 2012 to April 2021. The judgement was rendered at the same court on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
Detective Inspector Calum Reid stated: “Stuart Harding’s conduct was egregious, and he will now confront the repercussions of his offenses.” We anticipate that this sentencing provides a measure of closure to the affected individuals. Police Scotland is dedicated to meticulously researching all allegations of sexual offences and ensuring that perpetrators are prosecuted.
If you are now facing or have faced sexual abuse, please understand that you are not isolated, and assistance is accessible. Police Scotland collaborates with partners such as Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland to guarantee that affected individuals receive essential help. All reports are treated with utmost seriousness and addressed with respect and diligence.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.