EDINBURGH CAB DRIVER GARY DUFF JAILED FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND SEX ATTACK
A former driver for a charity that transports vulnerable locals around Edinburgh has been sentenced to three years in prison for a horrific campaign of domestic abuse.Gary Duff, aged 54, was given the custodial sentence at the High Court of Edinburgh last Tuesday after being found guilty of threatening behaviour, abuse, and a disturbing sex attack.
Following his sentencing, it was revealed that Duff continued working at Handicabs Lothian (HCL) from October 2021, when he was charged, until March 15 this year when he was convicted.
As a driver for HCL, Duff was responsible for transporting people with mobility issues, many of whom rely heavily on the service for independence.
A concerned local expressed outrage, stating: "I think it is shocking that he was working for them, driving around people that trust and depend on these drivers to get about daily.
He was charged and for over two years continued to work for HCL." The article details the controlling behaviour Duff was guilty of, which included monitoring his victim’s movements, preventing her from seeing friends, and taking intimate images of her without her knowledge.
The controlling behaviour and sexual abuse are part of his crimes for which he was sentenced, and it includes monitoring her movements, restricting her social interactions, and taking compromising images.
Edinburgh Live also reports that despite being charged with serious offences, Duff was not suspended from his job immediately after the charges were filed, raising concerns among the public about safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
The charity and local authorities have been contacted for comments.
The article notes that HCL stated Duff's employment was straightforwardly terminated on the day of his remand, after police informed them of the custody.
A local told Edinburgh Live: "People should have been made aware of this.
Someone needs to be on top of these situations.
I’m all for innocent until proven guilty but he’d been charged with serious offences and should’ve been suspended at the very least so he wasn’t in close proximity to vulnerable people." This case underscores the importance of proper safeguarding procedures and public awareness about the conduct of individuals working with vulnerable populations, especially when serious allegations are involved.
