MICHAEL GLAVIN'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BATHGATE: SEX OFFENDER'S HORRIFIC ATTACKS ON CHILDREN IN LOCAL SUPERMARKET

In December 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving Michael Glavin, a man whose actions have left a trail of fear and outrage within the Bathgate community. Glavin, aged 47, was convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses committed at a Tesco store located in Bathgate, West Lothian, during August of the same year. His crimes targeted young children, and the details of his misconduct have shocked residents and authorities alike.

On August 15, Glavin was involved in a heinous incident where he approached a seven-year-old girl in the toy aisle of the Tesco supermarket. According to reports, he put his hand down her underwear and groped her in a manner that caused her significant distress. The young girl, frightened and upset, managed to run back to her mother who was nearby in the clothing section. She confided to her mother, saying, “I’m scared because a man was following me. He tried to go down my skirt. He put his finger down my pants.”

Following this distressing event, Glavin’s predatory behavior did not cease. He then approached two 12-year-old girls who had left their adult companion to buy Coca Cola. Glavin, who was seen drinking from a bottle of cola at the time, engaged in inappropriate conduct by asking the girls if they wanted “some Coke,” complimenting them by calling them “gorgeous,” and making sexual comments. The girls, alarmed by his behavior, quickly moved away and contacted an adult for help.

Store staff, having been alerted by the children’s reports, identified Glavin in the store. They found him in the ladies’ clothing section, holding a nightie in one hand while apparently masturbating himself with the other. The staff promptly removed him from the premises and detained him until police arrived to arrest him. The severity of his actions and the immediate response of the store personnel underscored the gravity of the situation.

During the court proceedings, Glavin’s defense lawyer, Andy Aitken, acknowledged that his client’s actions had caused “significant distress and upset” to the victims and the wider community. Aitken stated that Glavin, in a sober and lucid state, fully accepted responsibility for his conduct. He expressed that Glavin was remorseful, apologetic, and described his own feelings towards his behavior as one of “disgust.”

It was revealed that on the day of the offenses, Glavin had been self-medicating for depression by consuming a large quantity of drugs purchased online. This substance abuse, according to the psychiatric report presented in court, disinhibited him and heightened his libido, allowing a deeply rooted attraction to children to surface. The report indicated that these factors contributed significantly to his offending behavior.

Glavin, who previously worked as an IT specialist with the National Health Service and the Ministry of Defence, showed no visible emotion as he was sentenced at Livingston Sheriff Court. The judge, Sheriff Kenneth McIver, sentenced him to two years and nine months in prison. Additionally, Glavin will be subject to a three-year period of close supervision by social workers following his release, under an extended sentence. He was warned that any breach of the strict conditions after his release would result in his recall to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence. His name will also remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff McIver emphasized the seriousness of Glavin’s crimes, highlighting the gravity of sexual offenses against very young children. He pointed out that Glavin’s actions involved targeting strangers in a public place, which only added to the community’s alarm. The sheriff noted that the offenses appeared to be linked to Glavin’s illicit drug use and his predatory behavior, which was only halted by the children’s quick thinking and their ability to escape and report him. The court recognized that such conduct caused significant fear and distress among the victims, their families, and the wider public.

In a related incident earlier in November 2019, Glavin had also been involved in a similar disturbing act. He approached a seven-year-old girl in the toy aisle of the same Tesco store in Bathgate, where he again put his hand down her underwear and groped her. The young girl, distressed, ran to her mother and expressed her fear, saying, “I’m scared because a man was following me. He tried to go down my skirt. He put his finger down my pants.”

Prosecutor Jim Robertson detailed that a store employee overheard the girl crying and spoke with her mother. The staff then launched a search for Glavin, who was later found in the clothing section, holding a nightie and appearing to masturbate himself. The staff removed him from the store and detained him until police arrived. Glavin subsequently pleaded guilty to three charges related to these incidents, which occurred around 8 pm on August 15. The court ordered that his name be added immediately to the Sex Offenders Register and remanded him in custody until sentencing scheduled for November 28.

These incidents have left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the dangers posed by individuals like Glavin and the importance of vigilance in public spaces. The court’s actions reflect the seriousness with which such offenses are regarded, emphasizing the need for justice and protection for vulnerable children in Bathgate and beyond.