JAMES FREW FROM MUIRKIRK SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN EAST AYRSHIRE

In a case that has spanned nearly two decades, James Frew, a resident of Muirkirk, was finally brought to justice for the heinous abuse of a young girl. The victim, who was between the ages of eight and eleven at the time, endured a series of disturbing and lewd acts carried out by Frew over a period of three years. The abuse took place at an address in East Ayrshire, with the incidents occurring between February 1993 and February 1996.

It was only after many years that the victim, now a young woman, found the strength and courage to come forward and report her ordeal to the police. Her bravery did not end there; she also testified in court, providing detailed accounts of her suffering. Her testimony was crucial in establishing the truth of her allegations, especially as she faced intense cross-examination from lawyers attempting to challenge her credibility.

In a significant development during the proceedings, Frew, who was 55 years old at the time, admitted to social workers that the allegations were true. This confession came during an interview, revealing that Frew, who is illiterate, acknowledged his guilt despite his initial denials. The court heard that Frew was convicted of engaging in lewd and libidinous acts on three separate occasions involving the young girl.

The sentencing was deferred to allow for background reports to be prepared. When the case was finally heard, the court was told that Frew’s defence lawyer, QC Susan Duff, highlighted that despite his conviction, Frew’s long-term partner had vowed to stand by him. Nevertheless, Sheriff Desmond Leslie did not hold back in condemning Frew’s actions. He described the offences as extremely serious and emphasized the profound impact on the victim.

During the sentencing, Sheriff Leslie praised the victim for her clear and courageous testimony, noting that she had limited her account to three incidents despite the intense cross-examination. The sheriff expressed his belief that her account was truthful and that her childhood had been irreparably damaged by Frew’s actions. He also acknowledged that the girl’s initial report to police was met with disbelief, which added to her distress, but she had since managed to recover and move forward.

As Frew was led away to serve an 18-month prison sentence, members of the victim’s family expressed their relief and satisfaction, applauding in court and shouting, “Justice at last.”

Following his conviction, Frew was ordered to sign the sex offender’s register upon his release, a measure designed to monitor and prevent further harm. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Muirkirk and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of listening to and believing victims of abuse.