MAIDSTONE PAEDOPHILE GLEN MACLEOD- MACLEAN SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE

In a case that has shocked the community of Maidstone, Glen Macleod-Maclean, aged 49, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 14 years after admitting to a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two young girls. The offences came to light during a routine investigation when one of the victims, who was undergoing counselling for an alleged attempted rape by another individual, disclosed disturbing details about her interactions with Macleod-Maclean.

The court heard that the teenager revealed that Macleod-Maclean had also subjected her to abuse, prompting authorities to arrest him. During police questioning, Macleod-Maclean expressed remorse, stating, "I deeply regret what I have done."

Further investigations uncovered that Macleod-Maclean had committed similar acts against another girl several years prior. It was revealed that he had begun touching her over her clothing and had instructed her to keep the incidents a secret, describing them as their private matter. Prosecutors detailed that Macleod-Maclean would perform sexual acts on himself while fondling the girl and also coerced her into performing a sexual act on him.

The first victim confided in a friend after Macleod-Maclean raped her, leading to police involvement. However, she was persuaded to withdraw her allegations, and the case was temporarily dropped. The situation escalated when the second victim came forward, describing how Macleod-Maclean had molested her and performed a sexual act in her presence, further confirming the pattern of abuse.

Judge Charles Byers addressed the court, emphasizing the community's likely outrage if the court ignored the danger Macleod-Maclean posed to children. He remarked that the abuse inflicted upon the victims was long-term and profoundly damaging. The judge highlighted that Macleod-Maclean was aware of the wrongfulness of his actions, as he himself admitted to a psychiatrist that his behaviour was "repugnant."

He expressed concern that the victims would suffer trauma for many years to come. While acknowledging Macleod-Maclean's remorse, the judge noted that this remorse could have been expressed much earlier. As part of the sentence, an indefinite sexual offences prevention order was imposed, and Macleod-Maclean's name will be registered on the sex offenders' register for life.

In a related note, it was mentioned that Macleod-Maclean's brother, Ian, also from Maidstone, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in November 2010 for sexually abusing three young girls. Ian had fled to Sierra Leone in May 2008 but was deported after two years when he contracted malaria and was found to be wanted by Kent Police, highlighting a troubling family history of sexual offences.