Child rapist jailed after abusing three young boys aged as young as SEVEN over seven years of horror

Published 26 October 2026, 15:51

• David Smith, 41, was convicted at the High Court in Livingston of raping boys aged seven, 10 and 11
• Smith 'showed a complete disregard for his victims, exploiting them for his own sexual gratification,' said Detective Inspector Jennifer Priestley
• 'Smith's conviction is down to them,' Priestley said, praising the brave victims who came forward after years of abuse

A 41-year-old man has been jailed for a catalogue of serious child sexual offences in West Lothian, including the rape of three young boys.

David Smith was found guilty on Monday, 26 October, 2026, following a trial at the High Court in Livingston.

His three male victims were aged just seven, 10 and 11 at the time of the offending.

The abuse spanned seven years, taking place between 2013 and 2020.

Detective Inspector Jennifer Priestley condemned Smith after the verdict.

"Smith showed a complete disregard for his victims, exploiting them for his own sexual gratification," she said.

The detective paid tribute to the courage of the three boys, whose accounts secured the guilty verdict.

"I want to acknowledge the strength of the victims who provided information to police in this case. Smith's conviction is down to them," Priestley said.

She added that she hoped the outcome would help the boys and their loved ones move forward.

"I hope this sentence brings them and their families some comfort," she said.

Priestley stressed that reports of sexual abuse will be investigated no matter how long ago the offending occurred.

"We take all reports of sexual abuse seriously, regardless of the passage of time," she said.

She also underlined the continuing work of officers in this area of crime.

"We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual crime and protecting children from harm and abuse," Priestley said.

The detective inspector closed with a direct appeal to anyone else who has suffered abuse to come forward to police.

"I would urge anyone who is a victim of abuse to speak to police in the knowledge you will be listened to, taken seriously and fully supported," she said.

The case highlights how convictions in child abuse cases can hinge on survivors finding the strength to speak to police years after the offending took place.

Smith's victims were abused over the course of seven years, yet it was the information they later provided to officers that formed the basis of the case against him.