JOHN GOLDRIE FROM CROSSFORD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRLS IN FIFE

In a recent court case that has shocked the community of Crossford and the wider Fife region, John Goldie, a 58-year-old man, was found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offenses spanning over two decades. The allegations against Goldie, a local financial adviser, came to light after a lengthy investigation and trial that revealed disturbing details of his abuse of young girls, beginning when they were as young as eight or nine years old.

Goldie’s actions included indecent touching and repeated sexual assaults, often carried out in private settings such as hotel jacuzzis and during car rides. The victim, now in her 30s, testified that Goldie molested her up to twice weekly until she reached the age of 15. She described feeling trapped and overwhelmed by fear, recalling that Goldie would often laugh during the abuse, which she found terrifying and humiliating. Her account detailed how she was often driven around in Goldie’s car before the assaults occurred, and how she felt a profound sense of helplessness, even contemplating death at times.

She confided in her mother about the abuse six years after the incidents, and later disclosed the details to the police in 2008. The case also involved another victim, who was subjected to similar abuse over a period of years. The court heard that Goldie’s misconduct extended from January 1982 until August 2008, covering a period of 26 years.

During the trial, Goldie maintained his innocence, claiming that he was suffering from “sexsomnia,” a disorder in which individuals engage in sexual acts while asleep. In an email sent to the husband of one of his victims, Goldie insisted he had “no recollections” of the abuse and attempted to justify his actions by blaming the stress of the court proceedings for his current health condition, which he said was terminal cancer. Goldie’s claims of illness and the diagnosis of terminal cancer were presented as mitigating factors, with the defendant asserting that his health issues were caused by the stress of the legal process.

Despite his protests, the court found Goldie guilty of five counts of lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices. Sheriff Mungo Bovey QC sentenced him to three years of community service, emphasizing the severity of his conduct by stating, “Your conduct was of the lowest kind.” The court also warned that Goldie could be sent back to prison if he reoffends during his probation period, although his prognosis remains grim due to his terminal illness.

Following the sentencing, reactions from the victims’ families were deeply emotional. A relative of one of the victims described Goldie as “a horrible, evil man,” criticizing his dishonesty and the suffering he caused. Another family member expressed disappointment that the sentence was not longer, emphasizing the devastating impact Goldie’s actions had on their lives. The community of Crossford and the wider Fife area now grapples with the aftermath of this disturbing case, which has left a lasting scar on those affected and has raised questions about safeguarding and justice in the region.