IAIN MURRAY GUILTY OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN BANNOCKBURN AND FALKIRK

In a significant legal development in May 2018, a jury at the High Court in Livingston found Iain Murray, a 62-year-old man from Bannockburn, guilty of sexually abusing a young girl who was only 12 years old at the time. The conviction followed a lengthy trial during which the jury deliberated and ultimately reached a majority verdict, holding Murray responsible for a series of sexual offenses committed over a span of five and a half years.

During the proceedings, the jury was informed that Murray was accused of sexually assaulting the 12-year-old girl in his care, as well as her 8-year-old sister. However, the court found that the evidence did not substantiate the allegations that he had raped the older girl or sexually assaulted her younger sister. Additionally, Murray was acquitted of three charges related to the sexual assault and attempted rape of the girls’ mother, who is now 30 years old, with these allegations dating back more than 15 years.

The court heard that the initial report to police in 2003 did not lead to prosecution at that time, primarily due to insufficient evidence. The Crown argued that the six offenses, all of which Murray denied committing, took place either at his residence in Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, or at an address near Falkirk. The investigation was triggered after the mother of the 12-year-old discovered an entry in her daughter’s diary describing Murray as “a paedo.”

Following this discovery, the mother confronted Murray, who denied any wrongdoing towards the girls she had entrusted to his care. The case drew significant attention, highlighting concerns about safeguarding and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children.

Judge Lord Burns, presiding over the case, ordered Murray to be placed on the sex offenders’ register. He also informed Murray that details of his conviction would be reported to Scottish Ministers under the protections provided by vulnerable groups legislation. The judge emphasized the need for social work background reports and scheduled Murray to attend for sentencing at the High Court in Aberdeen on June 22. Furthermore, Murray’s bail was continued under strict conditions, including a prohibition on contacting the victims involved in the case. The judge issued a stern warning, stating, “I have not ruled out any sentencing option that is before me,” underscoring the seriousness of the offenses and the potential for severe penalties.