Andrew Temple, a vile paedophile who raped his niece from the age of eight, has died in prison whilst serving an eight-year sentence for horrific sex crimes.
The 60-year-old passed away at HMP Edinburgh on Saturday, 11 October, bringing an end to the life of a man who subjected his young victim to thousands of assaults over nearly a decade.
Temple, from Loanhead in Midlothian, was convicted at Edinburgh High Court of seven offences including two counts of rape and three of indecent behaviour against his niece Kerrie Feehan, as well as two additional indecency charges involving boys.
Horrific Abuse Spanning Nearly a Decade
Temple’s abuse took place across multiple locations including Easthouses, Dalkeith and Fort William between 1996 and 2004.
Kerrie revealed her uncle assaulted her up to 3,000 times between the ages of eight and 16 in a campaign of abuse that devastated her childhood and teenage years.
The nightmare began when Temple raped the young girl whilst her sister slept in the next room, demonstrating the calculated nature of his predatory behaviour.
Victim Assaulted Even in Hospital After Suicide Attempt
Desperate and traumatised by the ongoing abuse, Kerrie tried to end her life at 15 years old by taking an overdose.
In a shocking display of his depravity, Temple crept into her hospital room and assaulted her again whilst she was recovering from the suicide attempt.
The teenager later discovered she was pregnant with Temple’s child but tragically lost the baby after four months.
Brave Attempt to Record Confession Ends in Knife Attack
At 17 years old, Kerrie courageously attempted to gather evidence by secretly recording a conversation in which she tried to get Temple to confess to his crimes.
However, Temple grew suspicious during the confrontation and attacked her with a knife, adding further violence to his catalogue of abuse.
The attack demonstrated the danger Kerrie faced in trying to bring her abuser to justice and the lengths Temple would go to protect himself.
Police Failures Allowed Abuse to Continue
Kerrie went to police multiple times seeking help and justice for the horrific abuse she had endured.
In 2003 and again in 2010, her complaints were ignored by authorities, allowing Temple to continue his predatory behaviour without consequences.
The failures represent a devastating breakdown in child protection that left Kerrie without the support and intervention she desperately needed.
Justice Finally Achieved After Years of Fighting
It was only in 2014, after Kerrie moved to South Shields and found support from her partner Caroline, that the case finally progressed towards prosecution.
With proper support and advocacy, Kerrie was able to pursue her complaint through the criminal justice system, leading to Temple’s eventual conviction.
Temple denied all charges throughout the trial but was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to eight years imprisonment.
His conviction vindicated Kerrie’s years of fighting for justice and validated the horrific experiences she had endured as a child.
Death in Custody Confirmed
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson confirmed Temple’s death, stating: “Andrew Temple, 60, of HMP Edinburgh has died on 11 October 2025.”
The cause of death has not been disclosed, though all deaths in custody are subject to investigation by relevant authorities.
Temple’s death means he will never complete his eight-year sentence or face further accountability for the devastating impact of his crimes.
Victim’s Courage in Waiving Anonymity
Kerrie Feehan chose to waive her legal right to anonymity as a victim of sexual offences, bravely speaking publicly about her experiences.
Victims of sexual crimes are typically granted lifelong anonymity under UK law, but many choose to waive this protection to raise awareness and help other survivors.
By putting her name to her story, Kerrie has helped highlight both the devastating impact of childhood sexual abuse and the failures in systems meant to protect vulnerable children.
Wider Pattern of Offending Against Children
Temple’s conviction included charges relating to indecent behaviour towards boys as well as his niece, indicating he posed a threat to multiple children.
The additional victims demonstrate that Temple was a persistent and predatory offender who targeted vulnerable young people in his orbit.
The full extent of his offending may never be known, as many victims of historical abuse never come forward to report their experiences.
Legacy of Systemic Failures
Temple’s case highlights serious failures in how police handled historical complaints of child sexual abuse, particularly in the early 2000s.
The fact that Kerrie reported abuse in 2003 and 2010 without action being taken represents a devastating missed opportunity to protect her and potentially other victims.
Her experience reflects wider issues that have been documented in numerous inquiries into how authorities failed to properly investigate and prosecute child sexual abuse in past decades.
Importance of Support for Survivors
Kerrie’s ability to finally achieve justice after finding support from her partner Caroline underscores the crucial role that supportive relationships play in helping survivors navigate the criminal justice system.
Many survivors of childhood sexual abuse struggle for years or decades before finding the strength and support needed to report their experiences and pursue prosecution.
Access to specialist support services, advocacy and sympathetic treatment by authorities can make the difference between cases being dropped and abusers facing justice.
As Temple’s death closes this chapter, Kerrie can hopefully find some measure of peace knowing her abuser died behind bars and that her courage in pursuing justice may have protected other potential victims.
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