Rape rap payout snub for child sex attacker Serial offender hunts for lawyer
LEGAL FIRMS REFUSE TO TAKE ON TOXIC CASE
Rapist Anderson
Andrew Anderson has been touting his case around specialist legal f irms since appeal judges freed him last year. The serial offender claims to have “started” legal action against the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Ser v ice (COPFS) following his acquittal. But the 36- year- old has suffered a series of knockbacks from solicitors who consider his case to be “toxic”. Anderson, of Kilmarnock, believes he is due compensation for the time he spent in prison before the conviction was overturned.
He claims that during the period he spent behind bars, his relationship with his partner suffered, possessions – including a PlayStation and television – vanished and he was unable to atteattend the funerals of loved ones. o
The unemployed dad of 10, who claims his childrenchildr are from “nine or 10 different women”, said: “It’s started. I’m not sayingsayin more than that. “I’veI’v been acquitted of ththe charges but still get people shouting ‘ beast’bea at me in the middlemid of the street. “I just spend all day in my house. I don’t see any of my kids and think it’s because of this court case. I had property that went missing when I was inside – a PlayStation, TV and stuff – it all disappeared from my mum’s house. I don’t know what happened to it but my family thought I was away for life. I’ve no faith in the justice system.”
Anderson was convicted of raping a 13-year- old girl and jailed for six years in 2006. He also has a string of other convictions including assault, car theft and housebreaking.
He was found guilty of raping two other women and indecently assaulting a third at houses in Cumnock and Kilmarnock and placed on an Order for Lifelong Restriction at the High Court in Glasgow in 2018.
The thug was jailed for a minimum of five years but warned by Lord Armstrong that he might never be released.
The conviction was quashed last year after the Court of Appeal in Edinburgh ruled that a legal rule on corroboration which is used in sex cases, known as the Moorov doctrine, was wrongly applied. Sources say Anderson has tried to get at least two legal firms to take his case, including compensation specialists Digby Brown. But they returned his file, claiming they are unable to represent him.
An insider said: “Digby Brown took a look at the file but quickly decided Anderson wasn’t someone they could represent.
“It’s hard to act for a client who is a convicted rapist and found guilty by a jury of subsequent rapes, even though the verdict was overturned. It would be a toxic case for anyone to take on.”
One of the women involved in the case said: “It’s disgusting he is pursuing compensation.”
Her partner said: “Andrew is a horrible person. A jury heard the case and decided he was guilty. As far as we’re concerned, he was freed on a technicality.”
Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Liam Kerr said: “It’s truly worrying that such an individual is at liberty again. His vile crimes and actions seem designed to play the system.”
COPFS said they wouldn’t comment on potential action taken against them.
Digby Brown said: “Andrew Anderson is not our client.”