JOHN JESSIMAN BARCLAY SENTENCED IN ELGIN FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING YOUNG MEN

In a significant legal development at the High Court in Edinburgh, John Jessiman Barclay, a 63-year-old former shop owner and social care worker from Elgin, has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of serious sexual offences involving three young men. The court proceedings shed light on the disturbing nature of the crimes, which include a particularly heinous case of rape involving a young man with a mental disorder.

Barclay’s victim, who was in his twenties at the time of the abuse, suffers from a range of debilitating conditions, including frontal lobe brain damage, hearing impairment, ADHD, and learning difficulties. These conditions have severely impacted his ability to live independently, making him especially vulnerable to exploitation. The victim’s mother, who chose to remain anonymous to protect her family’s privacy, expressed her profound anguish and disillusionment with humanity. She stated, “I feel like he groomed me as well because I trusted him.” Her words underscore the betrayal her family experienced, as Barclay’s grooming and subsequent abuse have left deep scars.

According to court documents, Barclay, working alongside another male, engaged in a series of sexual assaults against the young man. The abuse involved instructing the victim to remove his clothing, touching him inappropriately, and watching him with the other man during these acts. The most severe incident involved oral rape, which was described as being carried out “to his injury.” The victim’s mother recounted how the abuse might have continued unchecked if not for her discovery of incriminating messages and a condom among her son’s belongings, which pointed to further sexual misconduct. To substantiate her claims, she had to obtain reports from three medical professionals to establish her son’s lack of mental capacity to give informed consent.

Many in the community believed Barclay to be a trustworthy individual, given his background and involvement in various community groups. He was employed by Moray Council until 2010 and was known for his work supporting individuals with disabilities. This history contributed to the misconception that he was a “good Samaritan,” making the betrayal even more shocking to those who knew him.

The victim’s mother expressed a mixture of relief and ongoing mistrust following the sentencing. She said, “We have waited for years for this... I wouldn’t wish this on any family. I’ve had to keep the family calm so the justice system can do its work.” Despite the justice served, she voiced her lingering doubts about trusting others again, stating, “I’m just glad that he is locked up but I’ll never trust anybody again. He thought that person was his friend but they were doing the most horrific things to him. That’s what sickens me.”

This case highlights the profound betrayal of trust, the devastating impact on the victim’s family, and the importance of justice in addressing such heinous crimes. It also raises concerns about the potential for wrongful perceptions of individuals based on their community involvement, emphasizing the need for vigilance and thorough investigation in safeguarding vulnerable populations.