DAVID MCFEETERS FROM BILLERICAY AND STRANRAER JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

In a case that has shocked the communities of Billericay and Stranraer, David McFeeters, a 70-year-old former Baptist minister, has been sentenced to over three years in prison after admitting to the sexual abuse of a young girl. The abuse reportedly began when the girl was only eight years old, at an address on Benbecula in the Western Isles, and continued for a period of three years, causing significant trauma and distress.

The sentencing took place at Stranraer Sheriff Court, where Sheriff Kenneth Robb emphasized the gravity of the betrayal of trust involved in the case. McFeeters, who was also known as a driving instructor, was found to have exploited his position of authority over the vulnerable girl, who is now 18 years old. The court heard that the abuse was ongoing during the early 2000s, with the first incident occurring when the girl was just a child.

Earlier in July 2013, McFeeters had pleaded guilty to a charge of sexually assaulting the young girl on Benbecula between 2003 and 2006. This admission was part of a plea deal that also involved a not guilty plea to a separate charge of abusing a 12-year-old girl in Stranraer. The Crown accepted this plea, and the case was heard at the sheriff court in Stranraer. The court was informed that McFeeters was aware of the seriousness of his actions and the implications of his guilty plea.

Following his guilty plea, McFeeters was remanded in custody and placed on the sex offenders register. His legal representatives explained that the police investigation was initiated after the death of McFeeters' wife in 2011, which brought the allegations to light. The court decided to defer sentencing until August 27, 2013, to allow for the preparation of detailed background reports that would inform the final sentencing decision.

Overall, the case has highlighted the devastating impact of child sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims. The communities of Billericay and Stranraer are now left to reflect on the serious breach of trust committed by a man who was once seen as a community figure, but who ultimately betrayed that trust in the most heinous way.