DOUGIE MACDONALD, RADIO CLYDE SPORTS PRESENTER FROM AIRDRIE, FACES JAIL OVER CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN BELLSHILL

In September 2001, Dougie Macdonald, a prominent radio Clyde FM sports commentator from Airdrie, Lanarkshire, faced potential imprisonment after admitting to multiple sex offences involving young boys. The 43-year-old broadcaster, known for his energetic and often excitable style, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and bowed his head as he acknowledged the charges.

Macdonald’s crimes involved abuse of two boys aged 12 and 13, more than 21 years earlier, in a locked garage in Bellshill. During the incident, he supplied them with alcohol and cigarettes before forcing them to perform sexual acts. The court was also told that between June and September 1979, in Rockburn Crescent, Bellshill, Macdonald coerced the boys—who cannot be named for legal reasons—into performing sexual acts with two unidentified girls.

Sheriff Vincent Canavan chose to defer sentencing, requesting psychiatric evaluation, a social inquiry report, and assessments for community service to determine if alternatives to jail could be appropriate. The court was informed that Macdonald had a similar offence from 1981, leading the sheriff to consider all reports carefully before handing down a sentence. Macdonald was not placed on the sex offenders register at that time and was granted bail.

Upon leaving court, Macdonald stated, "On the advice of my legal team I have no comment to make at this time."

Macdonald, who previously worked as a public transport worker, is currently the chief football commentator at Radio Clyde FM. He is recognized for his lively presentation style, which often includes shouting.

Radio Clyde acknowledged the situation but stated they would not decide on Macdonald’s employment until after sentencing. Richard Muir, a station spokesman, mentioned, "The legal process is still ongoing and we cannot make any further comment at this stage. He is still an employee and has been on sick leave for over a year."

Macdonald’s wife, Christine, was not present in court. The former suspect was initially taken in for questioning last year after police visited his Airdrie home. He later pleaded guilty to lewd and libidinous practices involving the two boys, which included providing them with alcohol and cigarettes, and encouraging them to expose their private parts in a Bellshill garage in 1979, when he was 21. The offences also involved inducing the boys to urinate in a bucket and to handle the private parts of two girls, as well as encouraging those girls to handle the boys’ private parts.