GAVIN MCGUIRE AND THE TRAGEDY IN KILMARNOCK
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Kilmarnock Rapist
In October 2007, a chilling case from Kilmarnock unfolded, involving Gavin McGuire—a man with a long and violent criminal history. It all began with a tragic murder in December 1995, when 16-year-old Mhairi Julyan was found strangled, raped, and assaulted in a disused bus garage near her home. She had left her friends early that evening and was heading home when she was stalked by her attacker. Her body was discovered with 47 injuries, after a fierce fight for her life. The police suspected a killer operating in Kilmarnock at the time, which had high court turnover and jailing rates but was desperate to catch this predator.
Strathclyde Police launched extensive investigations, including hundreds of interviews and appeals, offering a £10,000 reward through the Daily Record. The breakthrough came when DNA testing matched the evidence to Gavin McGuire, then 43, a local man with a notorious past. Authorities questioned why they hadn’t already apprehended him, given his criminal background. McGuire’s history was marked by animal cruelty, including torching pigeons and rabbits, and severe sexual offenses. In 1977, he was imprisoned for 10 years for a double rape. Upon release, he attempted to assault a woman in Saltcoats, throwing her into the harbor and watching her struggle to survive in icy water; he was jailed again for 10 years.
Disturbingly, it was revealed that McGuire had been out of jail for just 19 days before killing Mhairi. His criminal record included multiple rapes and assaults, and he was considered one of Scotland's most heinous offenders. At his trial, young QC Alan Turnbull successfully convinced the jury of his guilt, despite the fact that they were unaware of his full history. The judge, Lord Clyde, described the murder as "an atrocity without mercy" and sentenced McGuire to 30 years in prison. In 2002, under European human rights laws, McGuire’s sentence was reduced to 22 years, although it remained up to the parole authorities to decide his release. Many in Kilmarnock strongly hope he remains incarcerated permanently.
Gavin McGuire was born shortly before Christmas in 1958, the son of Jimmy and Nettie McGuire. His childhood was marked by trouble, including animal cruelty from a young age and petty theft. His misconduct escalated to car theft, housebreaking, and multiple placements in children’s homes and borstal. By secondary school at Auchenharvie Academy, he was largely absent and described by classmates as a loner, with one noting, "I wish they could string him up for what he has done. I remember him torching those poor animals. He showed no remorse — he is really evil." McGuire’s violent crimes continued into his late teens, with a 1976 rape of a 15-year-old girl and subsequent assaults, leading to a 10-year sentence in 1977. He was released on license in 1983 but continued to offend, including assault and robbery, and was given another 10-year term in 1986 for a brutal rape at Saltcoats Harbour.
His notoriety grew, with neighbors describing him as strange and constantly staring at people. Few friends maintained any association with him post-prison. His associates recalled that he avoided women and was often fearful or shy around them. Many believed he was destined to commit murder, as one friend from Stevenston observed, "When we were about 15 or 16, we used to buy drink and go up to the castle. Gavin would come with us, but whenever women were mentioned, he’d disappear. It was as if he was afraid." After his second release, town folks frequently commented that it was only a matter of time before he would hurt someone again and that he should never have been released.
Just before his arrest for Mhairi Julyan’s murder, McGuire moved into a tiny bedsit in Saltcoats on Canal Street. Living only yards from 25-year-old Alexis Robertson, she recalled the shock of discovering her new neighbor was a murderer and rapist. She said, "I can’t sleep, I am petrified staying here on my own. I shiver every time I think about it." The case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by a man with a deeply disturbing criminal past.
Strathclyde Police launched extensive investigations, including hundreds of interviews and appeals, offering a £10,000 reward through the Daily Record. The breakthrough came when DNA testing matched the evidence to Gavin McGuire, then 43, a local man with a notorious past. Authorities questioned why they hadn’t already apprehended him, given his criminal background. McGuire’s history was marked by animal cruelty, including torching pigeons and rabbits, and severe sexual offenses. In 1977, he was imprisoned for 10 years for a double rape. Upon release, he attempted to assault a woman in Saltcoats, throwing her into the harbor and watching her struggle to survive in icy water; he was jailed again for 10 years.
Disturbingly, it was revealed that McGuire had been out of jail for just 19 days before killing Mhairi. His criminal record included multiple rapes and assaults, and he was considered one of Scotland's most heinous offenders. At his trial, young QC Alan Turnbull successfully convinced the jury of his guilt, despite the fact that they were unaware of his full history. The judge, Lord Clyde, described the murder as "an atrocity without mercy" and sentenced McGuire to 30 years in prison. In 2002, under European human rights laws, McGuire’s sentence was reduced to 22 years, although it remained up to the parole authorities to decide his release. Many in Kilmarnock strongly hope he remains incarcerated permanently.
Gavin McGuire was born shortly before Christmas in 1958, the son of Jimmy and Nettie McGuire. His childhood was marked by trouble, including animal cruelty from a young age and petty theft. His misconduct escalated to car theft, housebreaking, and multiple placements in children’s homes and borstal. By secondary school at Auchenharvie Academy, he was largely absent and described by classmates as a loner, with one noting, "I wish they could string him up for what he has done. I remember him torching those poor animals. He showed no remorse — he is really evil." McGuire’s violent crimes continued into his late teens, with a 1976 rape of a 15-year-old girl and subsequent assaults, leading to a 10-year sentence in 1977. He was released on license in 1983 but continued to offend, including assault and robbery, and was given another 10-year term in 1986 for a brutal rape at Saltcoats Harbour.
His notoriety grew, with neighbors describing him as strange and constantly staring at people. Few friends maintained any association with him post-prison. His associates recalled that he avoided women and was often fearful or shy around them. Many believed he was destined to commit murder, as one friend from Stevenston observed, "When we were about 15 or 16, we used to buy drink and go up to the castle. Gavin would come with us, but whenever women were mentioned, he’d disappear. It was as if he was afraid." After his second release, town folks frequently commented that it was only a matter of time before he would hurt someone again and that he should never have been released.
Just before his arrest for Mhairi Julyan’s murder, McGuire moved into a tiny bedsit in Saltcoats on Canal Street. Living only yards from 25-year-old Alexis Robertson, she recalled the shock of discovering her new neighbor was a murderer and rapist. She said, "I can’t sleep, I am petrified staying here on my own. I shiver every time I think about it." The case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by a man with a deeply disturbing criminal past.