IAN MACGILLIVRAY SENTENCED IN HAMPSHIRE AND STANHOPE FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES

In a significant development in the fight against childhood sexual abuse, Ian Malcolm MacGillivray, a man with connections to Hampshire and Stanhope, has been sentenced to four years in prison following a conviction related to historic sex offences. The case, which spanned over a decade, brought to light disturbing allegations of repeated abuse against a young girl during the 1990s.

MacGillivray, who was residing in Stanhope, County Durham, at the time of his recent arrest and trial, faced charges stemming from incidents that occurred when the victim was a child in Hampshire. The victim, now in her mid-20s, expressed her relief at finally seeing justice served, after enduring years of silence and delayed action. Her testimony was pivotal in securing the conviction, which was handed down at Durham Crown Court after a seven-day trial held last March.

Prosecutor Joanne Kidd detailed how MacGillivray had ingratiated himself with the victim’s family, displaying an unhealthy and inappropriate interest in their daughter. This behavior was so concerning that the family decided to move away at one point, yet MacGillivray continued to maintain contact and shower the girl with gifts, further complicating the case. Although the allegations were initially reported in January 2003, Hampshire Police determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed at that time.

It was only in 2009, when similar concerns arose regarding MacGillivray’s inappropriate interest in another young girl in County Durham, that authorities revisited the earlier case. During this renewed investigation, Durham Police discovered paedophile pornography on a computer seized from MacGillivray’s rented home at Weardale House in Stanhope. Further investigations in March 2010 revealed that he had acquired another computer, on which police found extreme pornography, including scenes of bestiality.

MacGillivray admitted to seven counts related to downloading and possessing indecent images of children, as well as five charges concerning the possession of extreme pornography. However, he was acquitted of a separate charge alleging sexual grooming of a girl in County Durham after a December trial. The court also noted that MacGillivray, now aged 63, had no prior convictions, and he was visibly injured, sporting a bandage beneath his lower lip, which was the result of a prison attack earlier that morning.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Christopher Prince emphasized the profound impact MacGillivray’s actions had on the victim. He commended her for her bravery and resilience in giving evidence, which was instrumental in bringing the offender to justice. The judge ordered MacGillivray to pay £2,000 in compensation to the victim and mandated that he sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and adhere to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order indefinitely.

Following the court proceedings, the victim expressed her feelings of relief, stating, “Finally I feel as if someone has listened to me. When no action was taken in 2003 I pretended it must not have happened until I got the phone call to say he had been arrested in Durham in 2009.” She added, “Although he’ll only be in jail for two years and out on licence for two more, at least he’ll be watched, so it’s a relief from that side of things.”