GALASHIELS MAN IAIN MCCRACKEN ESCAPES PRISON AFTER GROOMING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRLS

In a case that has sparked outrage and public unrest, Iain McCracken, a resident of Roxburgh Street in Galashiels, was brought before Selkirk Sheriff Court to face serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving underage girls. The proceedings culminated in a sentence that, while involving community service, has left many in the community feeling that justice has not been fully served.

On a day marked by emotional scenes outside the courthouse, a woman expressed her disgust as she exited the courtroom, loudly proclaiming, “That is disgusting,” while police officers struggled to manage a commotion among the gathered crowd. The case had already ignited anger among local residents who felt the punishment was insufficient for the gravity of the crimes committed.

McCracken, aged 27 at the time of sentencing, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including engaging in sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16 between February 2011 and February 2013. He also admitted to sexually assaulting another 13-year-old girl at his home in August of the previous year. The court heard that McCracken’s offenses spanned over a two-year period, beginning when he was 24 years old and the first girl was only 13.

The first victim, a girl he met through social networking sites, recounted that their relationship involved sexual encounters occurring two to three times each month. Their relationship ended when she was 15, at which point she discovered she was pregnant. Tragically, she later suffered a miscarriage, adding to the emotional toll of the case.

The second girl, also 13 at the time, was subjected to a disturbing assault after McCracken asked her for a “wee cuddle.” The court was told that he pulled her onto his lap, kissed her on the mouth, and rubbed her buttocks. The frightened girl managed to escape through a bathroom window and cycled barefoot to her grandmother’s house, visibly distressed by the incident.

Following the revelations, the second girl confided in the police about her two-year relationship with McCracken. He fully admitted to the police that he was aware she was only 13 when their relationship began. His defense lawyer, Ross Dow, explained that McCracken was suffering from depression and testicular cancer at the time, and he acknowledged the seriousness of the charges against him.

In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Peter Paterson emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, “These are very serious offences and the second offence is even more worrying than the first as it indicates a propensity.” As part of his punishment, McCracken was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid community work and was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for a period of three years.

Despite the relatively lenient sentence, the community’s reaction was one of outrage, with many feeling that the punishment did not adequately reflect the gravity of the offenses committed by McCracken in Galashiels. The case has reignited discussions about how justice is served in cases involving sexual abuse of minors, especially when the offenders are known to the community and the crimes are committed over extended periods.