Paedophile who abducted and abused girl has appeal against sentence rejected

The appeal court ruled ruled that Andrew Miller’s 28-year extended sentence was not excessive.

Andrew Miller abducted and abused a girl (Police Scotland/PA) (PA Media)

A paedophile who abducted a child and abused her for 27 hours has lost his bid to have his sentence reduced.

Andrew Miller, 54, who also uses the name Amy George, was dressed as woman when he abducted the primary school age child in February 2023.

The girl was walking home after spending time with her friends, when he stopped in his car while dressed as a woman and offered her a lift home.

He instead took her to his own home, near Melrose, in the Scottish Borders, where she was subjected to 27 hours of abuse – which the court called a “crime of extreme depravity”.

Prior to the offence he was struggling to cope with a number of factors in his life. He was soothed by the feeling of control

Victoria Dow, representing Miller

The predator told the girl he planned to keep her for a week, but at other times told her he would “never allow her to leave”.

Miller also watched pornography in the presence of the girl, who noticed he was a man when he went to the bathroom.

On the second night into her abduction, the schoolgirl was able to contact police after Miller fell asleep.

Miller was handed a 28-year extended sentence last October, comprising 20 years behind bars and a further eight on licence under supervision in the community.

In May 2023, he pleaded guilty to charges of abduction, sexual assault, watching pornography in the presence of a child under the age of 13, and possessing 242 indecent images of children.

Miller then appealed to have his “excessive” sentence reduced amid claims it put “too much weight” on his transgender identity.

Representing Miller, advocate Victoria Dow previously said: “The 28-year sentence was excessive having regard to the overall circumstances.

“Nothing I say should be considered to be minimising the offence. Clearly a substantial sentence was appropriate.”

She said Miller lived as a woman “for many years”, and his “transgender identity had been a factor throughout his life”.

She added: “Too much weight has been attached to that factor. It is clear the appellant has experienced psychological difficulties throughout his life. This is his first offence for such a serious matter.

“Prior to the offence he was struggling to cope with a number of factors in his life. He was soothed by the feeling of control.”

However, on Wednesday, the appeal judges took Miller’s circumstances into consideration but ruled against cutting his sentence.

The judges said Miller’s transgender identity and wearing female clothing was “not a significantly aggravating factor”.

They added: “By the time of the incident, the appellant was already dressing as a woman as a matter of routine, rather than for any more sinister a reason.”

In a written judgment, Lord Carloway said the court could not rule Miller’s sentence as “excessive”, stating that the court took into account the “extreme depravity” of his crimes.