JOHN MCGIN, BELLSHILL FIREFIGHTER, SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN GLASGOW AND LANARKSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the community of Bellshill and the wider Lanarkshire area, John McGinn, a 56-year-old former firefighter, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving a young girl he once rescued from a fire. The incident dates back to January 1994, when McGinn, who was part of a firefighting crew responding to a blaze at a residence in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, encountered a nine-year-old girl and her family during the emergency.

According to court records, McGinn knew the young girl and her family personally. The girl’s mother was hospitalized due to smoke inhalation sustained during the fire, while the girl was taken to her grandmother’s house for safety. It was during this visit that McGinn, who had previously interacted with the girl, returned to her grandmother’s home and engaged in a disturbing act of manipulation and assault.

The court heard that McGinn approached the girl under the guise of playing a game called 'King of the Castle.' During this interaction, he later placed his hand over her mouth, reassuring her with the words “It will be OK,” before subjecting her to sexual assault. The victim, now 30 years old, recounted her ordeal, stating, “I told him to stop. He said if I told anyone he would kill my mother.” It was only after nearly two decades that she found the courage to come forward and report the abuse.

Following her report, an investigation into McGinn’s past was launched, revealing a disturbing pattern of misconduct. The trial at the High Court in Glasgow in June uncovered that McGinn had committed multiple offenses, including six charges related to the girl and other victims. During the proceedings, McGinn vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that the accusations were false and motivated by revenge. He told detectives, “It’s a downright lie – it did not happen. No chance. For her to come out with that is ridiculous. I would rather put a bullet in my own head than be a paedophile.”

He further alleged that the girl had previously attempted to blackmail him, knowing he had a lucrative pension from his years in the fire brigade, suggesting that the rape claims were a form of retaliation for not receiving money he supposedly owed her. However, evidence presented in court painted a different picture. It was revealed that McGinn had also assaulted another young girl, offering her sweets and juice to keep her quiet, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior.

Adding to the disturbing testimony, a woman aged 50, who had lived with McGinn in Bellshill during the 1980s, described her experiences of years of sexual and physical violence inflicted by him. She described McGinn as a “monster,” recounting how he repeatedly raped her and, on one occasion, tied her to a bed and sexually assaulted her, which led her to chase him with a knife in a moment of desperation.

Judge Lord Bonomy, presiding over the case, condemned McGinn’s actions as “a catalogue of brutal behaviour,” emphasizing the severity of his crimes. He sentenced McGinn to ten years in prison and ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The judge also highlighted that McGinn’s denial and attempts to shift blame did not mitigate the gravity of his offenses.

Throughout the trial, McGinn maintained his innocence, asserting that he would rather die than be labeled a paedophile. His comments and behavior during police interviews reflected his denial and outrage at the accusations. Despite his protests, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him on six charges, including rape and lewd and libidinous conduct.

McGinn’s case has left a lasting scar on the victims and the community of Bellshill, raising questions about safeguarding and the potential for abuse by trusted community members. His actions, now condemned by the justice system, serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.