ARCHIE HUNTER FROM DUMFRIES: HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE AND MURDER REVELATION SHOCKS SCOTLAND
| Red Rose Database
Dumfries Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Dumfries, 73-year-old Archie Hunter, a man previously known to many as a family figure, has been revealed to have a dark and violent past that includes both heinous murder and prolonged sexual abuse.
Last night, two women, Dionne Newman, aged 22, and Chantelle Reilly, aged 21, who are cousins and grew up in Glasgow, shared their harrowing experiences and the moment they discovered the full extent of Hunter’s criminal history. Their revelations came during a court session at Glasgow Sheriff Court, where Hunter was being tried for recent sexual assault charges. It was during this trial that prosecutors disclosed a chilling fact: Hunter had been convicted of murder fifty years ago, having strangled a woman in a sex-crazed attack in Dumfries in 1968.
The victims, Dionne and Chantelle, were left stunned and deeply disturbed upon hearing this revelation. Dionne expressed her shock, stating, “It’s horrifying to think you know someone then find out they’re capable of that. It’s pure, calculated evil.” Chantelle echoed these sentiments, saying, “Knowing what he’s done has freaked me out.”
Their testimony was crucial in securing Hunter’s conviction on multiple charges, including two counts of sexual abuse and one of lewd behavior. The court heard that Hunter had previously assaulted a woman named Ella Bell, aged 48, in her Dumfries home in 1968, stripping her and choking her to death. Advocate depute Graham Cox explained to the High Court in Edinburgh that Hunter’s actions were driven by “sexual desire,” which led to the brutal murder.
Remarkably, Hunter was released from prison in 1979, after serving time for his murder conviction. Unbeknownst to the public and his family, he later married Dionne and Chantelle’s grandmother. The two women grew up unaware of his violent past, which only came to light during the recent court proceedings. In a courageous move, both Dionne and Chantelle have waived their right to anonymity to shed light on Hunter’s depraved actions.
Dionne recounted her early memories, saying, “He was the grandpa figure when I was very young — he has always been in my life. But for years, I was scared of him because he’d lash out at me and others.” She revealed that her abuse began in 2007, when she was just 12 years old, during weekends spent at Hunter’s Dumfries home. Her first experience of molestation occurred in his car, which she described as “horrible,” adding, “He told me not to say anything, which made me even more concerned and confused. It wasn’t until I was about 15 that I understood those things weren’t right.”
She further explained that Hunter was physically aggressive as well as sexually abusive, subjecting her to both physical and mental torment. Despite her attempts to confide in relatives, her allegations were initially dismissed, leaving her feeling isolated and traumatized. It was only last year that she and Chantelle decided to report Hunter to the police, leading to his eventual arrest and conviction. Earlier this month, Hunter was sentenced to 27 months in prison for his six-year campaign of abuse.
Both women expressed their relief at finally seeing justice served. Dionne shared her feelings, saying, “The abuse was awful, and my family not believing me made things worse. My mental health took a big hit. I had severe depression — and I still struggle.” Chantelle added that her health had also been affected but noted, “I’m a lot better since I came forward about it all. I’m relieved that I can move on with my life now.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Hunter has been placed on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years, marking a significant step in the ongoing effort to protect the community from individuals with such a dangerous past.
Last night, two women, Dionne Newman, aged 22, and Chantelle Reilly, aged 21, who are cousins and grew up in Glasgow, shared their harrowing experiences and the moment they discovered the full extent of Hunter’s criminal history. Their revelations came during a court session at Glasgow Sheriff Court, where Hunter was being tried for recent sexual assault charges. It was during this trial that prosecutors disclosed a chilling fact: Hunter had been convicted of murder fifty years ago, having strangled a woman in a sex-crazed attack in Dumfries in 1968.
The victims, Dionne and Chantelle, were left stunned and deeply disturbed upon hearing this revelation. Dionne expressed her shock, stating, “It’s horrifying to think you know someone then find out they’re capable of that. It’s pure, calculated evil.” Chantelle echoed these sentiments, saying, “Knowing what he’s done has freaked me out.”
Their testimony was crucial in securing Hunter’s conviction on multiple charges, including two counts of sexual abuse and one of lewd behavior. The court heard that Hunter had previously assaulted a woman named Ella Bell, aged 48, in her Dumfries home in 1968, stripping her and choking her to death. Advocate depute Graham Cox explained to the High Court in Edinburgh that Hunter’s actions were driven by “sexual desire,” which led to the brutal murder.
Remarkably, Hunter was released from prison in 1979, after serving time for his murder conviction. Unbeknownst to the public and his family, he later married Dionne and Chantelle’s grandmother. The two women grew up unaware of his violent past, which only came to light during the recent court proceedings. In a courageous move, both Dionne and Chantelle have waived their right to anonymity to shed light on Hunter’s depraved actions.
Dionne recounted her early memories, saying, “He was the grandpa figure when I was very young — he has always been in my life. But for years, I was scared of him because he’d lash out at me and others.” She revealed that her abuse began in 2007, when she was just 12 years old, during weekends spent at Hunter’s Dumfries home. Her first experience of molestation occurred in his car, which she described as “horrible,” adding, “He told me not to say anything, which made me even more concerned and confused. It wasn’t until I was about 15 that I understood those things weren’t right.”
She further explained that Hunter was physically aggressive as well as sexually abusive, subjecting her to both physical and mental torment. Despite her attempts to confide in relatives, her allegations were initially dismissed, leaving her feeling isolated and traumatized. It was only last year that she and Chantelle decided to report Hunter to the police, leading to his eventual arrest and conviction. Earlier this month, Hunter was sentenced to 27 months in prison for his six-year campaign of abuse.
Both women expressed their relief at finally seeing justice served. Dionne shared her feelings, saying, “The abuse was awful, and my family not believing me made things worse. My mental health took a big hit. I had severe depression — and I still struggle.” Chantelle added that her health had also been affected but noted, “I’m a lot better since I came forward about it all. I’m relieved that I can move on with my life now.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Hunter has been placed on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years, marking a significant step in the ongoing effort to protect the community from individuals with such a dangerous past.