EWEN MCINTOSH, GOUROCK'S MONSTER PREDATOR, SENTENCED IN PORT GLAZGO FOR ABUSING CHILDREN

In June 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving Ewen McIntosh, a man from Gourock, who was convicted of heinous crimes against two young girls spanning over five years. McIntosh, aged 56 at the time, had managed to conceal his sinister activities behind a facade of respectability, serving as a volunteer police officer and actively participating as a Boys’ Brigade leader in the community of Gourock.

His first victim, a girl aged just 13, was targeted as early as 1983. The assaults took place at various locations in Port Glasgow, including the Parklea playing fields and a car park on Greenock Road, as well as on the Esplanade in Greenock. During one particularly brutal attack, McIntosh forced the young girl to perform a sexual act on him, grabbing her head and applying pressure to her neck until she lost consciousness. He also touched her breasts and private parts, inflicting trauma that would leave lasting scars.

His second victim, also 13 at the time, was subjected to abuse starting in 1985. The abuse continued over a period of three years, during which McIntosh repeatedly touched her leg, engaged in sexual acts at an address in Greenock, and during a car journey between Gourock and Ayrshire. The assaults culminated in a rape, which took place both in a vehicle and at a residence in Greenock. During the second rape, McIntosh forced the girl to wear a bra that he provided, adding a disturbing element to the attack. The details of these assaults are too graphic to publish, but they reveal a pattern of predatory behavior and cruelty.

One of the victims, now 47, recounted her experience, describing McIntosh as someone she once trusted. She explained, “He was a special constable and he also taught judo in the local community. He was someone I never thought could be capable of doing something so evil.” She detailed her first assault, which occurred in the back of his car while he was driving her to a judo class. She was terrified and too afraid to tell anyone, as he warned her that nobody would believe her and that she would lose her family if she spoke out. The second assault happened at his home, where he had just returned from work, still dressed in his police uniform. Despite her pleas for him to stop, he continued, taking pleasure in her pain and suffering.

McIntosh was ultimately convicted of twice raping the second girl and sexually abusing the first victim. The case was heard at the High Court in Edinburgh, where the jury found him guilty. During the sentencing, defense counsel Jennifer Bain stated that her client, who maintained his innocence, understood the gravity of the crimes but refused to accept guilt. The judge, Lord Kinclaven, emphasized the significant impact these offenses had on the victims, condemning McIntosh’s actions and sentencing him to nine years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender.

The second victim expressed her relief at the verdict, saying, “He took everything away from me. I lost all my trust in men, and I spent years keeping this a secret.” She revealed that the trauma caused her to lose her marriages, as she could no longer allow men close to her. She described her decision to speak out as the most difficult step she ever took, but one that finally brought her closure. “He’s never shown any remorse for what he did. He preyed on two young girls and wrecked our lives,” she said. “It’s taken over three decades, but I finally feel I can rest easy knowing he’s behind bars.”

Throughout the trial and sentencing, the community of Gourock and Port Glasgow was left shaken by the revelations of McIntosh’s double life as a respected community figure and a predatory criminal. His actions have left indelible scars on his victims, and justice has been served after decades of silence and suffering.