JOHN LAMB FROM CLYDEBANK SENTENCED FOR EIGHT-YEAR CHILD ABUSE HORROR

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Clydebank, John Lamb, aged 60, has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for the horrific sexual abuse of a young girl over a span of more than six years. The abuse began on her very first day at school and continued until she was 12 years old, leaving lasting scars on her life.

Details of the case emerged during a court hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Lamb's actions were described as profoundly selfish, wicked, and cruel by Lord Brodie. The judge emphasized the damaging nature of Lamb's conduct, which inflicted deep emotional and psychological trauma on his young victim.

Lamb was brought before the court for sentencing after a sheriff initially decided that the maximum penalty of five years was insufficient to serve justice. The court heard that Lamb had repeatedly preyed on the girl, with the abuse occurring 'on a frequent basis' between 1976 and 1983. Prosecutor Malcolm McLeod recounted that the girl’s earliest memory of the abuse was on her first day at school, a day she remembered as beautiful, with her photograph taken in her school uniform.

However, her innocence was shattered shortly after, when Lamb lured her into his flat in Clydebank, near Glasgow. There, he forced her to perform sexual acts, subjecting her to ongoing torment. Lamb, often smelling of alcohol, would molest her at his residence and then threaten her to keep silent about what was happening. The girl endured this nightmare for years, with her suffering only ending when she was 12. The turning point came when she managed to kick Lamb as he attempted to assault her again, after which he ceased his abuse.

The case took a significant turn when the victim, now 32, confided in her mother about the abuse she had suffered. This disclosure led to Lamb’s arrest and subsequent trial. It was later revealed that Lamb had also committed similar offenses against a second girl, who was nine at the time. Lamb, who is now residing in London, admitted to the charges related to both victims.

Prosecutor McLeod highlighted the profound impact Lamb’s crimes had on his victims, affecting their relationships with partners and children. During the hearing, Lamb’s defense lawyer, John Hamilton, expressed remorse, stating that Lamb had shown regret for his 'deeply unpleasant and deeply reprehensible behaviour.' Hamilton also revealed that Lamb had attempted to take his own life on two occasions, underscoring the severity of his remorse and the gravity of his actions.