FIFE MAN FRANCIS MACKAY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN GLENROTHES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Glenrothes, Fife, a man named Francis Mackay, aged 40, has been handed a significant prison sentence after being convicted of serious sexual offenses involving two young girls. The crimes, which spanned several years and involved disturbing acts of abuse, have highlighted the ongoing issues of safeguarding and justice within the region.

Francis Mackay, who resides on Adrian Road in Glenrothes, was found guilty after a trial held at Dunfermline Sheriff Court in June. His conviction comes after a lengthy investigation into allegations that date back over a decade. Mackay was already under a community payback order at the time, imposed for viewing indecent images of children, which underscores a troubling pattern of behavior and a failure to address his previous misconduct.

The first victim, who reported her abuse to police in 2007, was just 11 years old at the time of the incident. However, despite her initial report, she heard no further developments or action taken by authorities for several years. It was only after her courage to speak out that the case was revisited. The court heard that between January 2006 and January 2007, at an address in Glenrothes, Mackay engaged in lewd and indecent conduct towards a girl aged approximately 14 or 15. Specifically, he placed his hand beneath her clothing and touched her inappropriately, an act that was proven by a majority verdict from the jury.

Further allegations emerged involving a second girl, aged just 11, between August 2012 and August 2013. Mackay was accused of entering her bedroom while she was sleeping, pulling her towards him, and then removing her lower clothing. He then placed his hands inside her upper clothing, seized her hand, and forced it inside his underwear. This charge was met with a unanimous guilty verdict, reflecting the severity of the offense.

The first victim later testified that she had initially kept silent out of fear. It was only after confiding in a friend that her family was informed, and police took a statement from her in September 2007, when she was 15 years old. During the court proceedings, the depute fiscal Claire Bremner questioned her about the delay in action, to which she responded that she had heard nothing more after her initial statement.

Judge Charles Macnair expressed his condemnation of Mackay’s actions, emphasizing the profound distress caused to the first victim. He noted her confusion and frustration over the lack of response for several years. The judge also highlighted the serious impact of the second girl’s abuse, stating that it had a significant and lasting effect on her mental health.

In sentencing, Sheriff Macnair ordered Mackay to serve 18 months for the first offense and 30 months for the second, to be served consecutively. Recognizing the risk of further offending, the sheriff also imposed a one-year extended sentence upon Mackay’s release for public protection. Additionally, Mackay was placed under a 15-year sex offences prevention order, restricting his contact with children, and was registered on the sex offenders register indefinitely. These measures reflect the court’s determination to prevent any future harm and to uphold community safety in Fife and Glenrothes.