Latest Offenders Lanarkshire

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A former security guard who raped three women has been jailed for eight years.

Dane O’Neill preyed on his victims including taking advantage of one while she was asleep in a hotel room.

The 22 year-old was also controlling and physically violent.

Jurors heard how a victim was told to cover with make up the horrible bruises he had inflicted.

O’Neill was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

He was earlier convicted of a total of 11 charges including seven counts of rape.

The crimes were committed between 2017 and 2021 mainly at different addresses in East Kilbride.

Lord Clark remarked O’Neill had tried to “blame” the victims for the more serious crimes.

The judge stated: “As has been made clear, you have not accepted that you committed any of the sexual offences.”

He added due to the “repeated nature” of what happened and O’Neill’s “lack of remorse” he presented a “high risk” of similar behaviour.

O’Neill will then be supervised for a further two years on his release.

Lord Clark imposed indefinite non-harassment orders banning him from approaching or contacting the women for an indefinite period.

O’Neill gave evidence during the trial and was quizzed by his lawyer Frances Connor.

She asked about the night he spent with one victim at a hotel in Glasgow in September 2020.

O’Neill said they returned there after dinner and drinks.

Prosecutors stated it was there he preyed on the woman while she was sleeping and, after she awoke, slapped his hand over her mouth and continued to force himself on her.

Miss Connor asked O’Neill: “Was there any sexual contact in the hotel room?”

He replied: “No.”

The defence advocate: “How did she seem in the morning?”

O’Neill: “Tired, but upbeat.”

O’Neill had previously assaulted this woman, accused her of cheating and used her bank card without her knowing. He also kept tabs on her social media.

The other two victims were also raped as well as being abused both physically and verbally.

A charge stated O’Neill did “instruct” one of them to “apply make up to her body to conceal bruising” caused by him.

Miss Connor told the sentencing hearing: “He has a family ready and waiting to support him.”

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A cross dressing engineer who left two women terrified after he was caught exposing a pair of fake breasts has been ordered to pay £1,500 compensation. Scott Mathieson, 52, prowled the streets of East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, under the cover of darkness dressed in women's clothing.

He repeatedly targeted a 73-year-old who spotted him on doorbell camera footage walking up to her front door and trying the handle. Mathiesonreturned weeks later and 'suggestively' flashed his chest and rubbed a breast with one hand.

He then shook breasts before walking away. The pervert made a third visit where he was seen on camera peering in his victim's bedroom window and police were contacted but he could not be traced.

it emerged he had targeted a 92-year-old woman by opening his jacket and exposing the artificial breasts. Police snared Mathieson weeks later after spotting him wearing a female body suit, dark wig and glasses.

Mathieson, of Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted a charge of stalking and another of threatening or abusive behaviour between June and September last year. The court heard he had a lifelong interest in women's clothing and attends LGBTQ clubs to indulge in his fantasies.

He claims it helps him express himself but he still identifies as male and did not believe he was being watched by his victims. Depute fiscal Rebecca Clark said: "The complainers are both vulnerable women and he was trying the door handle of one of their properties.

"The conduct involved him cupping, rubbing and shaping the artificial breasts with his hand. From looking at them, they are not a genuine representation given that they are large with nipples protruding. This offence does involve some sort of deviance."

Gregor Jarrott, defending, said: "He totally accepts his conduct in respect of both charges and is aware his conduct would have caused a reasonable person fear or alarm. He first became interested in female clothing at the age of five which progressed and he now attends LGBTQ clubs where he dresses as a woman.

"There have been long standing identity issues but he does identify as a man and finds this is a way to express himself. There has been no breach of trust between parties and at no stage was there any contact between them and, as far as he is concerned, nothing was said between them.

"He didn't know or think anyone was watching and he was deliberately doing this walking about at a time of night when he didn't think anyone would be about and it is his position that this is a private matter and an expression of himself."

Sheriff Louise Gallacher put him under supervision for two years as a direct alternative to custody. He was put on the sex offenders' register for the same period after it was ruled there was a 'significant' sexual aspect to his actions. Mathieson was ordered to pay £1000 to his first victim and £500 to the second.

Sheriff Gallacher told him: "This is a very serious offence committed over a three-month period where you exposed two elderly and vulnerable females to behaviour which caused them considerable fear and alarm and for one it has caused an adverse impact on her mental wellbeing.

"I have no hesitation in concluding this was done for your sexual gratification and that your behaviour indicates an underlying deviance from which society is entitled to be protected."

Prosecutors accepted a not guilty plea to a third charge which alleged Mathieson had caused an 67-year-old woman fear or alarm at her home in East Kilbride and looking in her windows in July last year.

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Kriss Strachan, now 25, was jailed for a further two years for his "aggressive and abusive" conduct and slapped with a 20 year legal ban on contacting or approaching his victim.

A jailed violent sex offender stalked a woman he'd known briefly in his distant past, "obsessing", researching her, writing her love notes from behind bars, and trying to control her life, all while serving a 12-year sentence for raping a 91-year-old.

Kriss Strachan, now 25, was jailed for a further two years for his "aggressive and abusive" conduct and slapped with a 20 year legal ban on contacting or approaching his victim. Strachan met his victim when they were both 16 - at a concert in 2013.

Falkirk Sheriff Court was told on Wednesday, December 14, that they kept in touch for few months, and met just once at her home, whereupon she told him she "did not want to pursue a relationship". The following year Strachan, then 17, committed what a judge called his "cruel and degrading" attack on the 91-year-old, forcing his way into her house in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, pushing her over, threatening to kill her, punching her repeatedly round the head, compressing her neck, removing her clothing, raping her, and infecting her with a sexually transmitted disease.

Then in 2017, two years into his sentence and despite her not having heard from him for three years, the stalking victim suddenly received a letter from Strachan, then in Polmont Young Offenders' Institution, Stirlingshire, later declaring his "love". She replied she was "not interested", the court was told.

Then in November 2018, she found a 15-second voice message from Strachan on her phone. It said: "What's this [I] am hearing about you're engaged to a fucking 40-year-old black guy?

"What's that a' about? You could have f***ing let us know before I was writing letters to you, ya steamer."

In a further message in 2019, he revealed he knew what kind of van her fiance drove and where he lived, and sent her three letters in 2020 - finally saying he was going to be released on a tag and would be "coming to see her" once he was out of jail.

The court heard the victim, now 25, was driven to take an overdose, but confided in her mother and her new partner. Her mother contacted Glenochil Prison, Clackmannanshire, where Strachan had been moved since becoming an adult prisoner, and the prison said they would block his phone.

However the calls and texts continued. Police were called in, and he was arrested and charged.

Appearing by video link from Barlinnie Prison, Strachan, of Bellshill, admitted stalking the woman, now also 25, for more than two years, from November 2018 to February last year (2021) while inside the two Scottish jails -- Polmont and Glenochil. Stephen Biggam, defending, said Strachan was "remorseful".

He said: "Knowing he was within touching distance of being released, he has managed to extend his incarceration by his own stupidity."

Imposing the extra jail tine and the 20-year non harassment order, Sheriff Craig Harries told Strachan that he had been "well aware" the victim did not want to hear from him. He said: "You began to contact the complainer once you were in custody. She made it clear to you by letter and telephone that she did not want contact from you.

"You were well aware from what she said, and her lack of response, that she did not want contact, but over the course of 27 months, you continued. In one of your later letters you even acknowledged she was ignoring your correspondence.

"The contacted contained abusive harassment of her. You aggressively challenged her about her being engaged.

"You provided knowledge about her personal life that you could only have discovered while within the prison. That is a particularly concerning aspect of the case and it shows the obsession that you had.

"In what would always be perceived by her as a threat, you stated you'd be coming to see her on your release. You continued to contact her by phone and letter professing love for her.

"You were, as both the legislation and common sense shows, stalking her. You caused her significant harm, her mental health suffered, she required medical assistance, and she was physically sick with worry.

"You tried to exert control over her life. The offence is significant aggravated by your previous conviction for a brutal sexual offence, and by your committing it from with the confines of prison, where she was entitled to have felt safe from you."

He added that a background report deemed Strachan to pose "a significant risk, particularly to females". Scottish Ministers may also order he should now serve a seven year extension that judge Lord Boyd imposed when he jailed him in 2015.

The judge said the rape had a "truly appalling" impact on the old lady involved. Strachan told police at the time: "I cannot believe I done it. I am scum."

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 A shamed former SNP councillor is behind bars after being convicted of grooming and abusing six teenage boys.

Mark Kerr preyed on victims including attempting to rape one at his home in Croy, Lanarkshire. The 40 year-old struck mostly before he was elected as a councillor in 2017 for the Kilsyth ward.

But, he went on to grope the final victim at a food bank in the village in May 2020. Kerr was eventually arrested following a police probe into the abuse.

He denied the accusations during a near two-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Kerr said he was the victim of a vendetta which saw him hounded out of his home of 32 years and wrecked his political career.

In often graphic detail, he insisted he was physically unable to do some of what was alleged claiming he was "a 40 year-old virgin". But, prosecutors said he was a "predator - hiding in plain sight".

Kerr was today found guilty of a total of nine charges spanning between December 2010 and May 2020. The crimes were the attempted rape as well as sex offences against the five other male victims.

He was found not proven of raping one and not guilty for a separate sexual assault against another of the six. Kerr was also found not proven of engaging in sexual activity with the teenager he was convicted of attempting to rape.

The first offender was visibly upset in the dock as the verdict was read out. Judge Douglas Brown told him: "Inevitably there will be a custodial sentence - your bail has been withdrawn and you will be remanded in custody."

Kerr was also put on the sex offenders register meantime. He will be sentenced next month.

Jurors heard how all the boys in the case were much younger than the former nationalist politician. Kerr, now of Wishaw, Lanarkshire, got to know the first when he was in his mid-teens.

The then boy looked upon openly gay Kerr as a "mentor" as he came out himself. He said sexual activity with Kerr first took place at a disused quarry when he was 15.

The victim - now in his mid 20s - said the older man then attacked him after they had earlier been at a local SNP function. He was asleep at the time at Kerr's home.

Describing the 2015 attempted rape, he recalled: "I froze once I understood what was happening. I could not control my body. It did not allow me to do anything."

Jurors heard how he later confronted Kerr at knifepoint in the street. The victim's mother had also turned up and she witnessed her son yelling: "Tell my mum what you done to me."

Kerr claimed he was innocent, but was said not to be able to meet the woman's eyes. Kerr tormented another boy from around 2012.

Referring to lurid accounts of gay sex, he stated to the youngster: "Don't knock it until you have tried it." He went on to grab the worried teenager's bottom.

The court heard Kerr joined two boys on a camping trip pitching a tent near the Boathouse restaurant in Croy. He was guilty of molesting one of them in the tent, but acquitted of raping another at that time.

However, he did sexually assault the rape accuser in 2014 in Croy while he was asleep. In 2014, Kerr targeted another of the teenagers by groping him and sending him sexually graphic messages online.

But, even after he had been elected to a position of power in the community, Kerr continued his offending. His last young victim was molested at a food bank set up to help people during the 2020 lockdown.

He told the trial: "I thought he was a nice guy. I do not see that now."

Kerr gave evidence during the trial and claimed he had been targeted after he had put a video of boys playing at a local disused quarry on his councillor Facebook page.

He said this was done purely to warn parents of the dangers. Kerr sobbed as he told how he had been filmed being forced out of his home by locals and branded the "local nonce".

But, in his speech to jurors, prosecutor Michael Macintosh said Kerr was "a predator hiding in plain sight". Mr Macintosh added: "You might come to the conclusion that behind the public persona, that friend to all, he was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"A lot of people thought he was a good guy, but he was a man who used his position, age and role as an activist and mentor to engage in sustained grooming of teenage boys for his gratification."

Sentencing was deferred for reports.

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A DWARF who hired himself out for stag and hen parties has been put under a curfew to keep him away from joggers.

Marc Corrieri, 30, has been tagged after he left a teenage runner terrified when he followed her on a country road.

He drove alongside the 17-year-old as she was exercising near Strathaven, Lanarkshire.

The girl, who was jogging alone, became so concerned by his behaviour she contacted police.

Corrieri, of Motherwell, Lanarkshire, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner in June 2020.

Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen tagged him for the next six months and said he could have been sent to jail.

The 4ft 2ins creep will have to remain inside his home between 5pm and 5am every day after the sheriff ruled early evening joggers needed to be protected from him.

Corrieri was also placed under supervision for a year.

Sheriff MacFadyen said: “I’m quite satisfied that this was a terrifying incident and due to your record, custody is certainly an option.

“Given the nature of the incident and the age of the young person who was simply out jogging, which is an activity often carried out after work by persons who do that, then the hours you will be restricted to your home will be different to normal.

“Failure to comply with any of these conditions will bring the case back to court and then all sentencing options will be open.”

Corrieri had previously worked for the Buff Butlers events firm and dressed as a £150-an-hour Oompa Loompa from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

But he quit after he was caught pestering schoolgirls for sex.

He was ordered to perform 240 hours of unpaid work and put on the sex offenders’ register for three years in September 2014.

Corrieri had earlier told how loved his entertainment job but laid down strict ground rules to keep his dignity intact.

He said: “I get paid to go out and party with different lads, we get a lot of attention from the ladies and I get to enjoy myself.

“I dress up for them as Superman or as an Oompa Loompa but I draw the line at dressing up as a woman - that’s a no go.”

His rules included no picking up or throwing, no tampering with his drink, not using the word ‘midget’ and no police involvement.

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A SEX attacker left a vulnerable 14-year-old girl in the snow after raping her in woods at night.

Spencer Smith, 19, preyed on his victim in Newmains, North Lanarkshire, on February 1, 2019.

The drunk schoolgirl left a hen do to meet Smith who led her into the woods known locally as The Bing.

She tried to kick him away but Smith pounced on her.

The pervert abandoned her in the snow without trainers before she was picked up by the police.

Smith - a first offender - was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow to a single charge of rape.

Smith - of Wishaw - was locked up and will be sentenced next month.

The court heard that the 14-year-old girl had a "fair bit to drink" at a hen do.

She told officers that she was "like dizzy and woozy."

The victim left nearby Robin's Bar to meet Smith and his friend before heading to the woodlands behind the pub around midnight.

In his closing speech, prosecutor John McElroy said: "Spencer Smith had sex with a drunk child.

"She said she 'tried to like get him off with kicking him'.

"When he left her in the snow, without her trainers and freezing we heard her call to 999.

"Officers met the victim at the bar who was "heavily under the influence of alcohol...and very upset.

"She was later found to be three times over the drink driving limit.Mr McElroy stated:

"Smith knew she was not consenting but persisted anyway, taking his sexual pleasure from an incapable child, under the significant influence of alcohol who was trying to kick him off.

"Smith told jurors in his evidence that the sex was entirely consensual.

The advocate depute put it to him that the police and toxicologist all spoke about alcohol and the effect it had on the girl.

He said: "If the jury take these things as true, they possibly cast your evidence in a different light."

Smith replied: "I suppose.

"After his conviction, Smith broke down in the dock as did members in the public gallery.

He was heard to say "absolute a joke" before being led into the cells.

Smith was put on the sex offenders register for a period of time which will be determined at the sentencing.

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A Lanarkshire paedophile who destroyed the lives of three young children when he sexually assaulted them has been jailed for 32 years.

William Dolan, 56, attacked one of his victims when she was just three years old and also abused a 10-year-old boy and a teenage school girl in sick sex crime spree in Newcastle.

After years of escaping punishment for his appalling acts, the pervert, now living in Wishaw, will finally be brought to justice, the Chronicle Live reports.

The jury at Newcastle Crown Court found Dolan guilty of a number of offences including rape and indecent assault which he refuses to confess to.

One of the survivors, who was just three at the time, said in an impact statement: The sexual abuse I suffered as a child has affected me severely. No child should go through what I did when I was a toddler.

He has ruined my life, its been a living nightmare. Your childhood is supposed to be the happiest time in your life but mine was torture. I felt ashamed and dirty.

The older female victim said: Ive struggled to move on with my life since I was a victim of sexual abuse. This has hung over me. Ive lived every day in the hope justice would be served. Im happy I found the strength to report this to the police.

I often have flashbacks to what he did. Theres not a day goes buy I dont think about what he did to me.

He preyed on vulnerable children who could not protect themselves. He is manipulative and devious and I hate him for what he has done.

The male victim said in his victim impact statement: My childhood was a living nightmare which still makes me angry and sad now. I cant forgive him for what he did.

The demons of my childhood and sexual abuse are still with me but I feel I will finally be able to move on after he is sentenced.

Dolan, of Stewarton Street, Wishaw, was found guilty of one count of rape and six counts of indecent assault in Newcastle, and was jailed for 32 years by Judge Christopher Prince.

He was told he must serve at least 21 years of that behind bars and will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

He continues to completely and absolutely and vigorously deny any wrongdoing. The court heard his wife is standing by him and he has COPD and hip and stomach problems.

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A pervert who was caught bombarding a 12-year-old girl with sexual messages after she told her mother has been spared jail.

Haydon van Henten, 19, began hounding the youngster after randomly adding her on Snapchat. He told the girl, who stays in Nottinghamshire, he was aged 13 before asking her to send him naked pictures of herself.

Creepy van Henten then sent a selfie which fuelled suspicion he was lying about his age. He then sent X-rated messages such as 'if you were in my room, I want to s**g, you' and 'I wish you were in my room so we can Netflix and chill' - slang for sexual activity.

The youngster ignored him but later revealed to her horrified mother what was happening online. The woman confronted van Henten before calling in police which led detectives to his home in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire.

First offender van Henten appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted sending sexual communications to the girl and taking indecent photos of children between January and June last year.

Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen ordered him to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and placed him under supervision for two years. He also put him on the sex offenders' register for two years.

Van Henten told police he had been sending messages from accounts including one named 'jameoconnor3820'. He said: "I've done stupid things in the past. I deleted messages and photos before you came.

"They images were all on my phone. I deleted six Snapchat accounts including Jamie O'Connor. I've been stupid, I've f****d up." A search of his phone found he had 16 images showing sickening abuse of children.

Depute fiscal Alice Carey said: "The complainer was contacted via Snapchat by an account in the name of Jameoconnor3820.

"Early in the conversation the girl advised she was 12 years of age with Jameoconnor3820 replying that he was a 13-year-old boy.

"As the conversation developed, the account Jameoconnor3820 asked the complainer to exchange photographs, requesting naked pictures to which she refused.

"During the conversation Jameoconnor3820 sent a photograph of half his face and a bedroom in the background. The complainer believed that the person who sent the photograph to be older than 13 years of age.

"She felt scared and uncomfortable with the messages she received and began to ignore the account." The prosecutor added: "Her mother contacted the police and provided screenshots of the conversation to the police.

"A subscriber check confirmed the user of said Snapchat account email address and IP address belonged to the accused." Sheriff MacFadyen said: "These are very serious offences."

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Victims of a serial rapist have welcomed the fiend's 14-year prison sentence for a catalogue of horrific domestic crimes.

One woman said her life has been "changed forever" after seven years of physical, sexual and mental abuse at the hands of vile brute, William Allison. Her ordeal included being raped after having a pillow forced over her face. Bully Allison also kicked and choked his terrified victim and threw plates of food at her. He wouldn't let her leave the house, monitored her phone calls and messages, and took control of her finances, making her beg him for money.

Allison, of Gartsherrie Road, Coatbridge, was sentenced at the High Court in Inverness.

After trial, the 31-year-old was found guilty of raping the woman and two other ex-partners at various Lanarkshire addresses. The former bakery worker - who we cannot picture as he has an outstanding court matter - was also convicted of assault, threatening or abusive behaviour and a course of abusive conduct. The crimes against the three women were committed between 2010 and 2019. His first victim said their relationship was "really good" to begin with. "His whole attitude changed and he was vulgar and harsh when he spoke to me.

"The abuse was mental as well as physical and sexual. I was walking on eggshells because of his moods and personality changes."

The mum-of-two said she lost a lot of friends because of Allison, who monitored her social media, called her derogatory names and accused her of being unfaithful.

She went on: "My mental health was affected to the point that I had never been so low.

"I have lost the person I was but I am striving to become a better person.

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Norman Smith from Airdrie was found guilty of sexual assault and rape on two girls aged 9 & 10 years old.

He was sentenced to 6 years in prison backdated from the 16th May 2022. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

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Carol Ann White's twisted sexual abuse was revealed after police discovered she had been texting a boy in lockdown. A teacher who molested two schoolboys in a campaign of twisted sexual abuse is facing jail. Carol Ann White, 39, abused both youngsters while employed in two different Lanarkshire primary schools. A police investigation was launched when it was discovered she had been texting a 12-year-old boy during the first Covid-19 lockdown. Phones belonging to the pair were analysed and a total of 1,185 messages had been exchanged over a three-week period. White asked him to touch himself intimately on FaceTime, sent revealing photos of herself and sent one photo captioned 'Cockblock of the year goes to Covid-19'. In later interviews with police, the boy revealed he had been kissed 50 times by her on the lips during a school trip to an outdoor activity centre near Oban, Argyll. He also said White had groped him while watching the film Titanic and had also forced his hand down the front of her trousers. The probe led police to an 11-year-old boy who said White had kissed him on the lips in a school store cupboard. In a series of interviews with officers, the boy revealed White had held his head against her groin and rubbed him with her breasts. White, of Uddingston, Lanarkshire, had denied two charges of engaging in sexual activity with the boys spanning between August 2018 and May 2020. But jurors took just over an hour to find her guilty following a seven-day trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court. After the verdict, it was revealed first offender White had earlier pled guilty to possessing eight indecent images of the 12-year-old boy. A text sent by White to the boy after one image was sent read: "You clearly don't need me to help, someone else has must have made you horny." In a video shown to jurors, the 12-year-old boy said: "Miss White said if you touch me I will touch you and then grabbed my hand and put it down her trousers. It happened once." The 11-year-old boy told how he had been targeted after a discussion about White and her love for Celtic FC. He said: "She was manipulative. I thought she was a good person who would do nothing wrong but you can't judge a book by its cover. "We were talking about football because she is a big Celtic fan and the kiss just happened. "For the last year I've felt like I had to protect her because I thought she was this nice person but she really wasn't. "If you were Miss White's teacher's pet then she would favour you. It felt quite good. Looking back I feel disgusted." In evidence, White broke down as she repeatedly denied the allegations against her. She said: "My reaction is that they are absolutely not true, not any of it. "I was a very hard working, nurturing, caring teacher for all children. I don't know why they would say this about me." Prosecutors had urged jurors to convict White. Depute fiscal Kevin Jarvis said: "By day she was a respectable teacher, by night she was discussing sexual innuendos with a 12-year-old pupil before reverting back to a respectable adult again. "She was the master of deceit." After the verdict, Graham Robertson, defence advocate, said: "She has been convicted of the most serious of matters." Sheriff Morag Shankland deferred sentence on White, who no longer works in education, until June for reports and continued bail. White, who sobbed uncontrollably after the verdict, was also placed on the sex offenders' register. The sheriff told jurors the case had been 'difficult' and 'distressing' and excused them from jury service for the next five years.

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Police have praised the victims of prolific sexual abuser Krishna Singh after he was found guilty at the High Court.

Singh, 72, of Airdrie, abused his position as a GP to prey on his victims over 35 years of practice.

His targets included a rape victim, teenagers, and pregnant women.

They were subjected to kissing, groping, inappropriate examinations, and sleazy comments during appointments with him.

Prosecutors described how the predator was hiding in plain sight for over almost four decades.

One of his victims bravely reported him to police in 2018, sparking a massive probe into his offending. He was subsequently arrested and charged in the same year.

Singh denied the crimes during a two-month trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

He was convicted of 54 charges, spanning between 1983 and 2018, against his victims with the crimes which mainly consisted of multiple sexual and indecent assaults.

The offences mainly occurred at medical practices in North Lanarkshire, but also at a hospital accident and emergency department, a police station and during visits to patients' homes.

Detective Inspector Stephen Morris, of the Specialist Crime Division said the victims had shown 'great courage' in helping with the investigation.

Speaking after the verdict, Detective Morris added: "Krishna Singh was a doctor, and in a position of trust, at the time he carried out this sexual abuse.

"The victims have shown great courage in coming forward with vital information, making sure he was held accountable for his actions, and ultimately convicted.

"His predatory behaviour was appalling for a man in his position.

"I hope this conviction provides a sense of closure for the victims and sends a clear message that all reports of sexual abuse, regardless of the passage of time, will be thoroughly investigated by Police Scotland and victims will be supported throughout.

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A convicted rapist armed himself with an axe and went seeking revenge after being attacked in a Bellshill street.

Richard Wotherspoon was seen "banging furiously" on a door with the weapon.

His lawyer claimed he has been targeted numerous times since being jailed 16 years ago for a sex attack.

Wotherspoon, 32, described as a prisoner, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in Dean Street on July 6.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard this week that five people attacked him days after he was released from prison after serving a sentence for domestic abuse.

Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said: "Police officers found Wotherspoon in Dean Street with a head injury and suspected hed been assaulted, but he did not provide them with any information.

"He was taken to hospital but wouldn't stay there despite being advised he needed further treatment.

"Later that evening Wotherspoon and another man were seen in the same street with an axe and a hammer.

"A witness challenged Wotherspoon who was banging furiously on the door of a flat with the axe. He told the witness 'I have no issue with you. I'm going to kill him'.

"There was no answer at the door after repeated knocking and shouting, and the accused and the other person then left."

Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said Wotherspoon suffered a broken finger and needed stitches in his mouth after being hit with a shovel during the attack earlier that evening.

The lawyer told Sheriff Liam Murphy: "His High Court conviction from 2006 still causes him difficulty in the local area.

"He is taunted and targeted because of it and has been assaulted numerous times.

"Individuals use it as an excuse to cause him difficulties."

The sheriff jailed Wotherspoon for 18 months, backdated to July.

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Matthew Connelly preyed on his victims in Lanark and Carluke between 2018 and 2020. A man who raped two teenagers in Lanarkshire has been jailed for six-and-a-half years. Matthew Connelly, 22, preyed on the victims in Lanark and Carluke between February 2018 and March 2020. He first pounced on a 16-year-old on various occasions at Lanark Loch and a property in Carluke. Connelly threatened to commit suicide if she did not meet to have sex with him, before raping her. He then raped another woman in July 2018. Connelly removed her clothes and straddled her body while she was asleep. After the victim woke up, he removed her lower clothing, seized her arms and restrained her. Connelly then went on to rape her. He also sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl on various occasions between 2017 and 2018. Connelly also had underage sex with a 14-year-old girl in 2018. He assaulted another woman in a car by removing her seatbelt and attempting to push her from the vehicle. Judge William Gallacher said: "You were convicted of a serious of very serious criminal offences for your own sexual gratification. "You subjected young victims to manipulation, abuse, psychologic influence and control as well as physical sexual behaviour. "All victims were between the ages of 14 and 18 when you engaged in controlling and violent behaviour for your own sexual gratification. "You took advantage of one of the girl's being a youth and when she refused your advances, you seized and raped her. "You found another girl on a school bus and engaged in sexual assaults with her, manipulated and raped her. "Every sexual offence would have merited a lengthy prison sentence." Connelly was also put under supervision for three years upon his release from prison put on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period. Tony Graham, defending, told the sentencing that Connelly comes from a family with a good work ethic and that he now understands his place in society. His crimes were described as "despicable" by a Lanarkshire detective who calls on more people to report sexual abuse to ensure more perpetrators are brought to justice. Detective Inspector David Lamont of Wishaw Police Station said: Connelly subjected his victims to sustained sexual abuse over a number of months and he is now facing the consequences of his despicable actions. "This sentencing sends a clear message that anyone found guilty of offences of this nature will be brought to justice. His victims were incredibly brave to come forward and report him then give evidence in court. "Our thoughts remain with them and I hope that his sentencing will give them some comfort and help them move forward. We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual crimes and investigating those responsible by bringing them to justice, no matter how much time has passed. "I would urge people to contact police and report it. They can be assured of being fully supported by officers and partner agencies. Connelly was initially found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month.

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Retired businessman Hamish McCall stopped his car outside a Lanarkshire school as children were leaving and was later arrested after two children gave statement to police. A retired auctioneer who performed a sex act outside a primary school has been spared jail. Hamish McCall, 66, stopped his car outside the school in Hamilton as children were leaving. Pupils from a nearby secondary school also spotted former company director McCall in the vehicle. A supermarket worker saw the group pointing and laughing but was left sickened when he realised McCall had his trousers down. He noted the registration plate before McCall, a former president of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland, sped off. Two school children also gave statements to police and an investigation led to his arrest. McCall, of Strathaven, was convicted of intentionally engaging in sexual activity in the presence of the two children in February 2020 after a trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court. He has been put under supervision for 18 months by Sheriff Moira MacKenzie and also placed on the sex offenders' register for the same period. In evidence, McCall, a former golf club captain, claimed he had stopped to answer his mobile phone and insisted he had done nothing wrong. He said: "I have no interest in schools whatsoever, I went up past it to avoid congestion in Hamilton and had to answer my phone. "I do have a habit of rubbing the top of my leg while I'm on the phone but no way would I have exposed myself. "When I was interviewed by the police I was totally flabbergasted by what was happening because I had done nothing wrong, the wind had been taken right out my sails." McCall retired in 2020 after a 48 year career in agriculture. A source said: "McCall has been highly respected both professionally and in his community but his reputation lies in ruins." Giving evidence to depute fiscal Alice Carey, a 14-year-old girl said: "I saw a man in the car and his pants were down and his trousers were open down to his waist. "I don't know how long it went on for but I looked away after about 10 seconds. "It made me feel embarrassed and it felt quite disgusting. I had just turned 14 and I was quite shocked when I got home because I'd never seen anything like that before." A 13-year-old boy added: "I saw an old man in a car with his phone out and his hand was moving up and down." Brian Fitzpatrick, defending, said: "It's hard to know how to address the court when Mr McCall is a 66-year-old man with no previous convictions." Sheriff MacKenzie said: "The sentence will be one of a community payback order and you will be subject to supervision for the next 18 months."