JOHN MOLD AKA JOHN MUIR: CO LEITRIM PAEDOPHILE TURNS ARTIST AND REPEATEDLY OFFENDS

In a disturbing case that continues to shock the community, John Mold, also known by his alias John Muir, has resurfaced in the public eye not as a criminal, but as an artist selling his work online. Mold, who has a deeply troubling past, is currently residing in a rural cottage in Rassaun West, Co Leitrim, where he has been engaging in the sale of prints and paintings through his eBay shop, The1_Jmart.

Despite his criminal history, Mold is now marketing himself as an international artist, claiming to have sold artwork across Ireland, the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Gibraltar, New Zealand, and the UK. His online biography describes him as a “figurative artist” with a focus on his work’s emotional core. However, beneath this artistic veneer lies a dark history that has not been acknowledged in his current business dealings.

In 2005, Mold, then aged 53, was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison for the horrific sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl. The abuse began after the girl confided in Mold that she had been sexually assaulted as a child by an uncle. The jury found Mold guilty of 40 charges, including sexual assault, attempted rape, and oral rape, which took place between June 2 and November 11, 1995. The court heard that Mold’s actions were premeditated and manipulative, with the victim describing her ordeal as a campaign of relentless abuse that caused her immense psychological trauma.

During the trial, the victim delivered a powerful and emotional statement, describing the profound pain, shame, and degradation she endured. She recounted how Mold, whom she referred to dismissively as “that thing,” manipulated her and her family, and how his actions had left her with long-lasting mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Her statement emphasized her desire to protect other children from a “monster” who had the potential to cause similar harm.

Despite his conviction, Mold has chosen to omit any mention of his criminal past from his online biography. Instead, he presents himself as a successful international artist, with no indication of his previous offenses. When contacted via email, Mold did not respond, and when reporters visited his rural home in Rassaun West, he refused to engage, slamming the door in the face of journalists who sought to question him about his online activities and his past.

Further attempts to access his eBay shop were unsuccessful, as the site appeared to be taken down or restricted when the report was made. This raises questions about whether Mold is actively trying to distance himself from his past or simply avoiding scrutiny.

The case of John Mold is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with a history of sexual abuse who attempt to reintegrate into society without proper accountability or acknowledgment of their past crimes. His case continues to evoke outrage and concern among the public, especially as he now appears to be using the internet to sell art, potentially exposing unsuspecting customers, including parents, to his disturbing history.