David Goodwillie rape victim claims government ‘stalled’ private case

A WOMAN who was raped by footballer David Goodwillie has criticized the Scottish Government for “delaying” a bid to bring private proceedings against her.

Denise Clair’s legal team is still awaiting a decision from Scottish ministers over the funding of the case for the past eight months.

2

2

Both Denise and goodwillfrom stirlingThey said they wanted the case to be fully examined in a criminal court so that they could move on with their lives.

Denise was raped by Goodwillie and another footballer, David Robertson, at a flat in Armadale, West Lothian, after a night out in Bathgate in January 2011 – but the Crown Office decided there was not enough evidence to prosecute.

Both men said police Denise agreed to have sex.

Denise later brought civil proceedings against the two footballers – the first of its kind in Scotland – at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, and in 2017 Lord Armstrong ruled that former players Goodwillie and Robertson had raped her.

Calls for the Crown Office to open a new criminal case have since been ignored, prompting Denise to launch a private prosecution.

he said Sunday Post: “I have already been waiting for justice for 13 years.

“With people questioning the civil court decision, I believe the only way I can finally move on with my life is through a private criminal prosecution.

“Goodwillie said he wanted that too.

“If we both want the case to be heard in a criminal court, why wouldn’t the Scottish Government and the criminal justice system want the same thing, unless there are difficult questions they don’t want to answer?”

At the time of the attack, tough new laws on consent had just been introduced and were about to be used for the first time.

Despite this, Goodwillie was told that no lawsuit would be filed.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “This delay serves no one’s interests and I urge ministers to end the indecision or at least explain why they have been unable to reach a decision in this sensitive and unusual case.

A Scottish Government Spokesperson said: “We received this application which is unique, complex and requires appropriate consideration.

“We are working as quickly as possible to make a decision.”