JOHN TELFER FROM DALRY AND SHOTTS SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC SEXUAL ABUSE INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has spanned decades, John Telfer, a resident of Dalry and Shotts, was convicted of serious sexual offences committed against young girls dating back to the 1970s. The incidents, which took place in January 1974 at an address in Shotts, North Lanarkshire, involved the heinous act of Telfer tying up a seven-year-old girl and forcing her to perform indecent acts on him, as well as another young girl, approximately 16 years old at the time, whom he blindfolded and restrained before engaging in sexual activity.

These disturbing allegations came to light during a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, where the court heard detailed accounts of Telfer's actions. The court was presented with a collection of letters and testimonials from individuals pleading for leniency on his behalf. However, the presiding judge, Lord Bannatyne, dismissed these as largely unpersuasive, noting that most of those who spoke in Telfer’s favor believed he was wrongly convicted and maintained his innocence.

During the proceedings, the defense lawyer, Tony Graham, argued that if Telfer had been apprehended in the 1970s, he might not have faced imprisonment. Nonetheless, Lord Bannatyne emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, “These children were young and what happened to them was totally abhorrent and shouldn’t happen to any child.” The judge further expressed that failing to impose a custodial sentence would be a dereliction of his duty, given the gravity of the offences.

Despite denying the charges, Telfer was found guilty by the jury. He was subsequently sentenced to two years and three months in prison for the sexual offences. His legal representative highlighted that this was the first time Telfer had encountered legal trouble, describing the offences as an aberration in an otherwise respectable life dedicated to community service.

In his sentencing remarks, Lord Bannatyne also considered the testimony of one of Telfer’s victims, who stated that her experience had not significantly impacted her life. However, after the verdict, another victim shared her personal account, revealing how the abuse had profoundly affected her mental health. She explained that her family’s association with Jehovah’s Witnesses was how she came into contact with Telfer, and that the trauma from the abuse, which occurred 38 years ago, had led her to suffer a mental breakdown.

Expressing relief that justice was served, she conveyed her feelings: “I was happy he got sentenced at all today and that people believed me and that now he’s sitting in jail. It is not going to change my life overnight but it is a start.” The case underscores the long-lasting scars of childhood abuse and the importance of justice, regardless of how much time has passed since the offences occurred.