A “possessive” rapist who obsessively stalked his young victim through Facebook has been sent to prison.
Allen Lothian, 23, set up around 140 accounts on the social media network between October 2014 and June 2018 to pursue his victim.
Lothian sent his victim messages in which he threatened to tell other people about his previous sex assaults.
Judge John Morris KC was told how the youngster felt he had no other option but to contact Lothian after receiving the messages.
He heard how the offender started abusing the boy in the East Neuk area of Fife when he was just four years old in 2006.
The complainer’s ordeal lasted another 12 years and the court heard how his mental health has been badly affected by Lothian’s offences.
Stalked through multiple Facebook groups
Prosecutor Martin Crawford told the High Court in Edinburgh: “The accused was obsessive and possessive.
“He would be angry if the complainer did not want to visit him.
“The accused would threaten to tell other people about the sexual assaults between them.
“He would also threaten to hurt himself or hurt the complainer.
“The accused would add the complainer to Facebook groups.
“He would message the complainer on a daily basis.
“The complainer felt that he had to visit the accused.
“During the period between October 5 2014 and June 30 2018, the accused stalked the complainer.
“The accused would repeatedly set up Facebook accounts – the complainer would in turn block the accounts.
“The accused would persist. He set up around 140 Facebook accounts in various names to contact him.”
Raped at knifepoint
The story emerged after Lothian, of Anstruther, pled guilty to rape and sexual assault charges involving the first complainer and another young boy.
Lothian raped his first victim at knife-point and while threatening him.
He also forced his young victim to watch child abuse videos and would threaten to hurt himself if his victim didn’t respond to his demands.
Mr Crawford told judge Morris the first victim in the case is dealing with “flashbacks” and “nightmares” and is having to take medication to help.
The advocate depute added: “He is receiving psychiatric support and has trouble leaving home.”
Second victim
The court heard Lothian sexually assaulted another 11-year-old boy on an occasion between September 1 2016 and September 25 2016.
Defence advocate Michael Anderson KC said he would reserve his mitigation until a sentencing hearing next month.
Lothian, who is currently on remand at HMP Perth, was taken back into custody after judge Morris added him to the Sex Offenders Register.
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