ALLOA SEX OFFENDER JAMES ADAM SENTENCED FOR DEPLORABLE CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN IN CLACKMANNANSHIRE AND LANARKSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the community of Alloa and the surrounding areas, pensioner James Adam was found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offences committed over a span of more than two decades. The trial, which took place at the High Court in Edinburgh, revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse targeting vulnerable young girls, with the court hearing detailed accounts of Adam's predatory behavior.

During the five-day proceedings, the jury convicted Adam of five counts of indecency, one count of rape, and an additional charge of indecent assault. The offences ranged from early grooming behaviors to more severe acts of sexual violence. It was established that Adam had taken two young girls to watch streetwalkers in Glasgow, a place known for prostitution, before subjecting one of them to a rape at a residence in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, when she was just 15 years old. The court also heard that he exposed himself to a second girl, who was only 12 at the time.

Further disturbing evidence revealed that Adam had targeted another girl from the age of four. His abuse of this victim was relentless, occurring at various addresses in Alloa and Sauchie, both in Clackmannanshire, as well as in Holytown, Lanarkshire. The court was told that he carried out a sexual assault on her when she was a teenager, in a car in Sauchie in 2001. These revelations painted a picture of a man whose predatory actions spanned many years and locations.

At the conclusion of the trial, the presiding judge, Lord Pentland, addressed Adam directly from the dock. He stated, “You stand convicted now by the jury’s verdict of deplorable sexual offences committed against young girls.” Adam, who was 80 years old at the time, responded by calling out “never,” but the judge was clear about the gravity of the crimes. Lord Pentland emphasized that a substantial custodial sentence was inevitable, given the seriousness of the offences, and indicated that more details about Adam’s disturbing conduct would be provided in due course.

Expressing admiration for the victims’ bravery, Lord Pentland acknowledged their courage in coming forward after many years to ensure justice was served. He also refused bail for Adam, citing the severity of his crimes and the public interest, and ordered him to remain in custody while a background report was prepared. The judge concluded by thanking the jurors for their service in what he described as a “difficult and distressing public service.”

James Adam, formerly residing on Bellevue Road in Alloa, was first involved in sexual offending in 1975. His initial victim, now aged 53, recounted how Adam groomed her through car trips and cash, taking her to an area in Glasgow known for street prostitution. She described how Adam would sit in the car with her, ask if she wanted to engage in such activities when she was older, and buy her food and give her money. She revealed that she was just under 11 years old when she first met him, and at that time, the attention made her feel valued.

The woman, who came from a challenging background with a mother struggling with alcohol and periods in residential care, explained that Adam began forcing her to perform sexual acts on him when she was around 10 years old. She described how he would laugh at her, touch her, and make inappropriate comments about her body, coercing her into performing “sexual favours.”

She also testified that she visited Adam’s former residence in Alloa when she was 15, where she claimed he had sexual relations with her. The court heard that Adam was employed by the railway, and she would visit the signal box where he worked, although she could not recall if any sexual contact occurred there. As a result of his conviction, Adam has been placed on the sex offenders’ register, marking a significant step in the pursuit of justice for his victims and a reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from such predatory individuals.