LESLEY MITCHELL FROM BO’NESS AND FALKIRK FREED DESPITE CHILD RISK WARNINGS

In a highly controversial decision, Leslie Mitchell, a former doctor from Falkirk now residing in Bo’ness, has been released from prison despite strong objections from Scottish ministers and concerns over public safety. Mitchell, aged 60, was originally sentenced to a minimum of four years in 2010 after being convicted of attempting to lure two young girls, aged 10 and 11, into his vehicle. His case drew significant attention due to the severity of his actions and the subsequent legal proceedings.

Mitchell’s criminal history includes attempts to engage with minors in a predatory manner. The incident that led to his incarceration occurred when he approached the two girls as they were walking home from school in Falkirk. Prosecutor Kirsten Anderson described how Mitchell, in an attempt to lure the children, told them he was cold and offered to give them a lift home in his car, instructing them not to tell their parents. He also arranged to meet the girls again the following day at the same location, but both refused.

During the trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court in June 2010, Sheriff Craig Caldwell characterized Mitchell as a “determined sexual offender” and emphasized the significant risk he posed to children. The judge highlighted the seriousness of the offences, which involved Mitchell’s clear intent to have sexual contact with the young girls. Subsequently, Mitchell was transferred to the High Court in Edinburgh, where Lord Hardie sentenced him in September 2010. The judge expressed concern over what could have happened, stating, “It’s not so much what actually happened, but what might have happened.” He further noted Mitchell’s explicit desire to engage with girls aged between 10 and 12, and imposed a lifelong restriction order (OLR), allowing for indefinite detention if deemed necessary.

Throughout the proceedings, Mitchell admitted to having a long-standing sexual interest in young girls, revealing to social workers that he had previously committed similar offences in England. He also confessed to viewing child sexual abuse images online and attempting to groom children through internet chatrooms. His history of misconduct was further confirmed during his 2012 striking-off hearing by the General Medical Council, where he admitted to engaging in such behaviour since the 1990s.

Despite these admissions and the grave nature of his crimes, Mitchell’s sentence was later reduced on appeal to a minimum of 16 months, allowing him the possibility of early release. The reduction was part of a broader change in sentencing guidelines following legal challenges by other offenders, such as Robert Foye and Morris Petch, which led to adjustments in the minimum terms for similar cases. Mitchell’s release was granted by the Scottish Parole Board last month, a decision that drew criticism from government ministers who argued that there was insufficient evidence to ensure he would not pose a risk to the public.

Ministers had requested that Mitchell be transferred to Castle Huntly open prison for closer monitoring prior to his release, but the parole board ultimately approved his freedom, citing the need for him to reintegrate into the community and “test” his rehabilitation. The parole documents reveal that Mitchell expressed a desire to have sex with girls aged between 10 and 16, with a preference for those aged 10 to 13. He also admitted to engaging in sexual activities with young girls three times over the past decade during a risk assessment conducted shortly before his release.

Mitchell’s background includes working in the casualty ward at Stirling Royal Infirmary. His criminal record and admissions paint a disturbing picture of a man with a long history of predatory behaviour. His case remains under scrutiny as he prepares for a forthcoming hearing by the General Medical Council to determine whether he remains fit to practice medicine. The decision to release him has sparked widespread debate about public safety, rehabilitation, and the adequacy of current sentencing and monitoring procedures for sex offenders in Scotland.