LESLEY GILMOUR'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN JOHNSTONE AND PAISLEY SHOCK COMMUNITY
In a deeply disturbing case that has left the community in shock, Leslie Gilmour, a 69-year-old man from Johnstone, was sentenced to a total of three years in prison for heinous sexual offenses committed against two young girls.The crimes, which spanned several years and involved multiple instances of abuse, were detailed in court proceedings held at Paisley Sheriff Court, where the severity of his actions was laid bare before a packed gallery.
During the sentencing hearing, Gilmour’s refusal to accept responsibility for his actions was evident.
Despite being convicted at trial, he continued to deny the allegations, prompting Sheriff Seith Ireland to emphasize the gravity of the offences.
The sheriff stated, “No disposal, other than custody, is appropriate given the gravity of the offences,” and criticized Gilmour for his “substantial denial, even after ladies and gentlemen convicted you after evidence.” The court heard that Gilmour’s first victim, an eight-year-old girl, was subjected to multiple assaults between January 1988 and December 1989.
His depraved acts included exposing himself to her, stripping her of her clothing, and sexually assaulting her.
Despite her pleas for him to stop, Gilmour continued his abuse on various occasions, showing a blatant disregard for her distress.
His crimes against the second victim, a girl who was between seven and eleven years old at the time, were even more egregious.
Gilmour forced her to perform sexual acts and assaulted her in different locations, including his house and the cab of his lorry.
These incidents occurred over a period from May 1991 to May 1996, with the girl recounting her experiences in court, describing how she was manipulated and victimized over several years.
Members of the public expressed their outrage during the proceedings, with shouts of “beast!” echoing through the courtroom.
The police officers present had to intervene, with one having to remind the gallery to maintain decorum and refrain from shouting during the sentencing.
Gilmour’s wife, Roberta, aged 64, who had previously testified on his behalf during his trial, was present in court alongside other family members.
Her support for Gilmour was evident, despite the serious allegations against him.
His defense lawyer, Nuala Devlin, requested the court consider alternative sentencing options, citing social work reports that described Gilmour as a “low risk” of reoffending and highlighting his health issues.
She also mentioned that the family had been subjected to vigilante actions, including a fire set to a car similar to Gilmour’s, and windows being broken, which forced them to relocate.
Despite these pleas, Sheriff Ireland emphasized the importance of justice for the victims.
He stated, “The court must send a message to you as an offender and give justice to those people who suffered at your hands by your lewd, indecent and libidinous practices conducted against young girls.” Gilmour was sentenced to 18 months for the first charge and three years for the second, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.
In a related case from October 2016, Gilmour was convicted of abusing two sisters over nearly a decade.
The 70-year-old, who worked as a lorry driver, targeted the girls after befriending their mother, which allowed him access to the children.
His crimes included molestation and sexual assault, with one victim recounting her ordeal after many years of silence.
She described how Gilmour tricked her into going on an overnight trip to England in his truck, where further abuse occurred.
The victims’ families, especially the sister who bravely testified, expressed their relief at Gilmour’s conviction, though they acknowledged the long-lasting trauma inflicted upon them.
Roberta Gilmour, his wife, vehemently denied the allegations, claiming she never saw her husband behave inappropriately and was shocked by the accusations.
The court heard that Gilmour kept sweets at his home to bribe the girls and would expose himself while wearing only a towel, acts that were repeatedly committed under her roof.
Gilmour’s refusal to cooperate with police during the investigation further underscored his guilt.
He declined to answer questions and gave no comment during police interviews.
As he sat in court dressed in grey trousers and a dark blazer, he maintained a stoic silence as the verdicts were read.
The victims and their mother embraced and sobbed as the jury found him guilty of two counts of sexual abuse against children.
Sheriff Ireland warned Gilmour that he faced a lengthy prison sentence when he returns for sentencing scheduled for November 18, emphasizing the court’s duty to uphold justice and protect vulnerable children from such predatory behavior.
