Man convicted of raping one-day-old baby

The details of the case were so horrific that jurors were exempted from jury duty for five years

Stuart Young, from the Sighthill area of Edinburgh, was convicted on two charges of rape and one of sexual assault (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

A man has been convicted of raping a one-day-old baby and two other young children.

Stuart Young, 37, was found guilty of two charges of rape and one of sexual assault at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday.

The details about of his crimes revealed during the week-long trial were so horrific that the jurors have been exempted from serving on another jury for five years.

His crimes took place between November 2008 and December 2013, in attacks which temporary judge Paul Arthurson QC called "truly depraved and despicable".

He began raping the baby boy when he was just one day old, and continued his attacks until he was three months old.

Young, from the Sighthill area of Edinburgh, also raped a girl over a period of years, beginning when she was six months old and continuing until she was five.

In July 2013, Young sexually abused a nine-year old girl in the Stenhouse area of Edinburgh.

Young pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and denied any wrongdoing. He swore as he left the dock after being convicted.

His sentence was deferred by Judge Arthurson to allow the court to obtain reports about his character, with Judge Arthurson saying he should "expect a sentence to reflect your level of criminality."

He will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on 28 May.

Detective Inspector Douglas Moran, of Police Scotland, commended the bravery of two young girls who spoke out about their horrific abuse, bringing Young's crimes to the attention of police.

He added that the victims and their families will receive specialist support to help them cope with their ordeal.