DUMFRIES MAN DONALD MCGILLVRAY SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF SCHOOLGIRL

In January 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving a man from Dumfries who was convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses against a young girl. Donald McGillvray, aged 37 at the time, faced charges related to the repeated sexual assault of a schoolgirl over a span of several years. The allegations detailed that McGillvray engaged in sexual acts with the girl when she was between the ages of 13 and 16, at various addresses in Annan, Dumfries, and the wider Galloway region. The court heard that he not only raped her but also sexually abused her on multiple occasions, with the abuse beginning when she was just 12 years old in 2013.

Throughout the trial, McGillvray maintained a controversial stance, denying the allegations and claiming that their relationship was consensual. He insisted that he and the girl were involved in a mutual romantic relationship, despite the evidence presented by the prosecution. The victim, who bravely testified in court, recounted the repeated assaults and revealed that McGillvray had threatened to take his own life if she ever disclosed what was happening to her. Her testimony painted a harrowing picture of manipulation and coercion, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll inflicted upon her during those formative years.

The case was heard at the High Court in Glasgow, where the jury found McGillvray guilty of multiple counts of rape and sexual abuse. The court established that his actions had severely impacted the victim’s childhood, stripping away her innocence and subjecting her to ongoing trauma. Judge Lord Clark addressed McGillvray directly, stating, “You said you had a consensual sexual relationship from when she was 13, but the jury did not believe you. You sexually abused and raped her during her formative years and robbed her of the innocence of her childhood. In her evidence she said that you threatened to kill yourself if she told anyone what you had done.”

Following his conviction, McGillvray, who is a father of one, was sentenced to nine years in prison. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and restrictions to protect the community from further harm. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and support for victims of sexual abuse, especially those who are vulnerable and unable to defend themselves against predatory behavior.