BRAVE MOTHER FROM TRANENT SENDS GARY MILLAR TO JAIL FOR 14 YEARS FOR SERIAL ABUSE IN EDINBURGH AND EAST LOTHIAN

In September 2014, a courageous mother from Tranent successfully saw a dangerous predator, Gary Millar, sentenced to 14 years in prison for a series of violent and sexual crimes spanning over three decades. Millar, 42, who was most recently residing in Musselburgh, was convicted of 14 counts including sexual assault, rape, violent assault, and attempted rape. His crimes also involved holding knives to victims' throats, strangling women until they lost consciousness, and smashing a woman's head against a wardrobe.

The case was sparked when Millar’s former partner, Janet Peden, a 42-year-old care worker, decided to break her silence after enduring years of violence and abuse during their two-year relationship. She recounted, “I was the first to come out and say anything. None of the others had broken their silence, but I felt like I had to. I’m glad they finally did and that they found their own courage.” Her revelation prompted five other women to come forward, revealing a pattern of abuse dating back to the 1980s.

Ms. Peden described her ordeal: “I was routinely beaten and forced into sex but summoned the courage to report my ex-partner.” She recounted a terrifying incident in April of the previous year, when Millar, intoxicated, forcibly brought her into a bedroom, saying she was going to have sex with him. When she refused, he strangled her, squeezing her throat so tightly she struggled for breath, before trying to rape her. She managed to escape and immediately ran to her daughter’s house, who then took her to the police station. An emergency examination revealed extensive bruising and a neck injury.

Despite feeling humiliated and ashamed, Ms. Peden’s testimony was instrumental in uncovering Millar’s extensive history of violence, which spanned back to childhood. She learned that Millar had begun sexually abusing children aged eight and ten between 1984 and 1990, starting when he was just 11 years old. Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Millar’s criminal activities had persisted over many years.

Millar’s criminal record includes holding knives to victims’ throats, strangling women, smashing a woman’s head against furniture, and attacking two young girls in Tranent in the 1980s. His crimes were finally brought to justice after Ms. Peden’s courageous act of speaking out.

In her testimony, Ms. Peden expressed her relief: “But now I’m so glad I did. I was too terrified to talk about it for months, but I’m glad I finally found the strength. It changed my whole life — I used to stay in my room, avoid everyone, especially at work. I suffered a breakdown and confided in a colleague about what happened.”

Reflecting on the impact of her actions, she said, “I’m just so glad that we’ve got him off the street. I’m glad that he can’t do this to another woman. He put me through hell and several women through hell. But in the end, I feel like I’ve got justice. All of my anger is gone now, and I’m ready to move on and be happy again.”

This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat domestic abuse across Scotland. A recent social work report indicated that there were 5,476 reports of domestic violence in the previous year, averaging 15 incidents daily, an increase from the 5,335 reported in 2012-13. Police Scotland has prioritized tackling domestic abuse, notably doubling the rape conviction rate to 100 this year, thanks in part to the establishment of a dedicated unit responsible for addressing such crimes.