ALLAN MACDONALD FROM CULBOKIE SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IN INVERNESS-SHIRE AND INVERGORDON

In December 2013, Allan MacDonald, a man originally from Culbokie, was sentenced to a seven-year prison term after being convicted of heinous crimes involving child rape and sexual abuse. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning over five years, during which MacDonald targeted young girls who were all in primary school at the time.

MacDonald, aged 45 at the time of sentencing, appeared before the High Court in Glasgow to face charges that included rape and five counts of lewd and libidinous conduct. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, MacDonald maintained his innocence, claiming that he was the victim of a conspiracy aimed at framing him. His defense was ultimately unsuccessful, and the jury found him guilty of the charges.

The victims, all girls aged between six and ten years old, endured a series of traumatic experiences between 1985 and 1990 in Inverness-shire. The court heard that MacDonald exploited their innocence by inducing them to perform sexual acts, often rewarding their compliance with sweets. He employed various tactics to silence the young victims, threatening to have social workers take them into care if they disclosed what was happening.

The abuse took place in multiple locations, including MacDonald's home, a caravan, a lock-up, outdoor settings in a forest, and inside his car. One of the women who testified described in harrowing detail how she and her friend were subjected to abuse and were forced to perform sexual acts on each other and on MacDonald. She also recounted that MacDonald had full intercourse with her when she was only seven or eight years old.

Another victim recounted how she was playing in a local playpark when MacDonald called her over. She was then taken into his car, where she was sexually assaulted. When questioned by prosecutor advocate depute Jane Farquharson about her understanding of the situation at the time, she responded, “Not really. He was telling us what we should do.”

Following his conviction, MacDonald, of Ravencroft, Culbokie, was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The trial in Inverness saw him deny two charges of raping girls at his then residence and five charges of lewd and libidinous behavior committed between September 28, 1984, and April 6, 1990. However, the jury found him guilty by a majority verdict on all counts, with the exception of one sexual assault charge, which was decided unanimously.

Since his release, Allan MacDonald has relocated and is now living in Invergordon, raising concerns about ongoing safety and the impact of his crimes on the victims and the community.