COLIN MCKAY ARMED WITH EVIL IN ARMADALE AND BATHGATE: SERIAL SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR PREDATORY ATTACKS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Armadale and Bathgate, Colin McKay, aged 34, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of several years. The crimes, which involved multiple victims, include rape and indecent assault, highlighting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior by the offender.

McKay’s criminal activities came to light after a detailed investigation that uncovered his involvement in multiple serious sex crimes. The first set of offenses dates back to the summer of 2005, when he was found guilty of raping a woman on two separate occasions at her residence in West Lothian. During these incidents, McKay unlawfully entered her home uninvited, forcibly removed her four-month-old daughter from her arms, and committed acts of sexual violence against her. On one occasion, he pinned her against a wall before assaulting her, and on another, he forced her to the floor and raped her again. These acts were described as particularly brutal and invasive.

Further investigations revealed that McKay also raped a 15-year-old girl, who was acting as a babysitter, at his home in Armadale while his wife was away on holiday in Blackpool between June and September 2005. The young girl, now aged 25, testified that McKay climbed into her bed and repeatedly attempted to kiss her before raping her. Her account was corroborated by the jury, which unanimously found him guilty of the rape charges. Additionally, McKay was convicted of indecently assaulting a third woman in 2011 at a residence in Armadale.

These revelations prompted a police investigation in 2014, which ultimately led to McKay’s arrest and subsequent conviction. The evidence presented in court painted a picture of a man who exploited his victims’ vulnerabilities, often when they were alone and defenseless. The court heard that McKay had previously been convicted of similar offenses 14 years earlier, when he was 21, adding a layer of concern about his potential for future offending.

During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Wolffe described McKay as a “predatory sexual offender preying on vulnerable women when the opportunity arose.” She emphasized the severity of his crimes, stating, “You have been convicted of a number of predatory rapes of women who were vulnerable by reason of their age or circumstances.” The judge also ordered that McKay be kept under supervision for an additional two years and placed him on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. She noted that McKay had been assessed as posing a high risk of further violent offending and criticized his attitude, pointing out that he maintained an extreme denial of his actions and blamed his victims.

McKay, who was formerly residing on McNeil Crescent in Armadale, showed no remorse during the proceedings. His defense attorney, Ian Duguid QC, acknowledged that a custodial sentence was inevitable and described the process as a “chastening” experience for McKay. Duguid expressed hope that McKay would not be involved in such activities again, citing the support of his family, who have since moved to another location to distance themselves from his criminal past.

As the court prepares to deliver its final sentence on July 3, the case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals like Colin McKay. The community of Bathgate and Armadale continues to grapple with the aftermath of these disturbing crimes, and authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to protect vulnerable members of society from similar predatory offenders.