Overview
- Ilia Belov, 22, was found guilty Thursday of assaulting a 12-year-old girl and of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner toward four girls aged 12 to 14.
- Sheriff Timothy Niven-Smith said he rejected Belov’s claim of self-defence and described his evidence as wholly unconvincing and self-serving.
- The girl who produced an axe and a knife told the court she had hidden them in her waistband for five to ten minutes and the sheriff warned her about carrying offensive weapons.
- Police Scotland said after reviewing CCTV that information first released to the public did not fully reflect the situation and further inquiries led to charges against Belov and his sister.
- Belov and his sister Nadjedzha Belova, who earlier admitted an assault, will be sentenced on August 5, 2026, when the court will consider measures such as placement on the sex offenders register and background reports.