Man Pleads Guilty to Rape and Sexual Assault Charges

A man has pleaded guilty to the rape of a young girl in the north east of Scotland and the sexual assault of another. Russell Maitland, 37, admitted committing the offences in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, and in Aberdeen. Maitland, who resides in Peterhead, raped one girl when she was under the age of 13, and also sexually assaulted her. He further admitted sexually assaulting another young girl in Peterhead, and an additional charge of various indecent exposures in the Peterhead area. Sentencing at the High Court in Aberdeen was postponed until January for background reports. Judge Summers informed Maitland that these were “profoundly serious” offences and that there could only be a “lengthy” custodial disposal.