CATCHING GIANNI GRADINI: CLYDEBANK AND WHITEROCK SEX OFFENDER FACES JUSTICE AFTER DECADES

In November 2019, a serious legal matter unfolded involving Gianni Gradini, a man with a disturbing history linked to Clydebank and Whitecrook. The case centered around his failure to disclose a change of name to police authorities, a breach of the strict notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act.

Gradini, who was previously convicted in 2013 for heinous crimes committed against an 11-year-old girl during 1987 and 1988, was scheduled to be sentenced at Dumbarton Sheriff Court. The court proceedings revealed that he had not informed law enforcement of his use of an alias, Ganna Del Greco, which he was legally obliged to do within three days of adopting the pseudonym.

At the hearing, his lawyer explained that Gradini, then residing in Whitecrook but now living on Freelands Crescent in Old Kilpatrick, had suffered a diabetic seizure shortly before his scheduled meeting with a social worker. This incident was cited as the reason for his failure to comply with the notification requirements.

However, the court was cautious, with Sheriff William Gallacher questioning the credibility of the illness claim, especially considering Gradini’s prior history of twice breaching bail conditions. The sheriff emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating, “This is an important matter. I gave thought to whether I needed to remand you in custody to have this report prepared, so don’t kid yourself that it’s not serious.”

Despite the concerns, Gradini was released on bail and ordered to return to court on November 29 for sentencing. The case drew significant attention due to his past, which included a lengthy wait of over 25 years for justice, as recounted by his victim.

Back in August 2013, the victim, who was just 11 years old at the time, expressed her relief and relief that her abuser was finally being held accountable. She described how Gradini had targeted her on multiple occasions between 1987 and 1988 in Whitecrook, beginning when she was still in primary school. Her courage in reporting the abuse to her family and subsequently to the police was a pivotal moment, although initial efforts were hampered by a lack of corroborating witnesses.

She recounted the gradual escalation of the abuse, stating, “It turned into sexual abuse when I was about 11. It was gradually getting worse, he would come in and put his hand under the cover and start touching me.” She also shared her feelings of fear and her resolve to face her fears, emphasizing her belief that other children might have been similarly affected.

Gradini’s denial persisted even when questioned again in 2011, despite evidence and a witness who corroborated the victim’s account. His attitude during the trial was described as cocky, with the victim recalling how he sat laughing at her during court proceedings. Nevertheless, his actions caught up with him, and he was convicted of abusing the girl and breaching bail conditions that prohibited contact with children under 16 unless supervised.

Following the verdict, he was sentenced to five months in jail, a punishment that brought some closure to the long-standing case. The victim expressed a mixture of relief and emotional release, stating, “It was a happy release, somebody had listened to me and done something about it. I still can’t believe he has done something about it after all this time.”

In a broader context, her testimony has encouraged other potential victims to come forward, with her noting concerns about other children in the Drumchapel area who may have been targeted by Gradini. She pointed out that she believed he had been seen hanging around with teenagers, which added to her fears for other possible victims.

As the legal process continues, Gianni Gradini is scheduled to appear again in court next month to face further consequences for his actions, bringing a measure of justice after decades of suffering for his victims and ongoing concern within the community.