Couple Jailed for Forcing Boys to Participate in Infant’s Rape

A man and a woman have been incarcerated after compelling two boys to participate in their rape of a one-year-old girl amidst a series of abusive acts. Samantha Crawford and Michael Cummins, residents of Kirkcaldy in Fife, coerced the children, then aged seven and three, into involvement in their assaults on the infant, in addition to sexually assaulting a fourth child. Crawford and Cummins, formerly married but now divorced, additionally compelled the two older children to vow secrecy regarding their recurrent physical and sexual assaults. Crawford, 33, received a 10-year prison sentence, and Cummins, 35, was given a 14-year sentence, following their denial of any culpability during proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh. During sentencing, Lord Harrower characterized their criminal conduct as “extreme” and noted that neither individual had displayed “any remorse” for their deeds. The two faced trial earlier in the current year, but the pronouncement of sentence had been postponed pending the acquisition of background reports. Crawford and Cummins entered matrimony in Kirkcaldy in 2011, but dissolved their marriage in 2022. Their criminal activities occurred within this timeframe, specifically between 2014 and 2018. The court was informed that the couple’s initial victim, the seven-year-old, was targeted when he endured rape and physical assault by Cummins. Evidence presented at trial also indicated the one-year-old was raped on “various occasions” and that the two boys participated in the assaults involuntarily. Additionally, the two sexually and physically assaulted a fourth child, a male, born in 2014. The court was apprised that the children had been instructed not to disclose events to other adults by uttering the phrase “zip it, lock it, put it in your pocket”. Jurors rendered guilty verdicts against the two after hearing a week-and-a-half of testimony outlining the “devastating” consequences their conduct had on the children. A significant portion of the evidence is too explicit for reiteration in reports. Lord Harrower informed the jurors that they would qualify for counselling should they deem it necessary to discuss the evidence they had heard with a professional. The judge additionally mandated the inclusion of both individuals on the sex offenders register indefinitely and directed that Crawford, who commenced crying upon the verdict’s pronouncement, undergo supervision for three years post-release, while Cummins, who maintained an emotionless demeanor, be supervised for four years. In his sentencing remarks, Lord Harrower stated: “Your offending must be categorised as extreme. The impact of your offending on these children will be devastating.“You do not accept any responsibility and neither of you have shown any remorse for your actions.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.