PAUL MCCALLUM FROM BLANTYRE AND LARKHALL SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN GLASGOW

In a harrowing case that has shocked the communities of Blantyre and Larkhall, a man named Paul McCallum has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses involving young girls. The proceedings took place at the High Court in Glasgow, where the 48-year-old offender faced justice for crimes that spanned over a decade.

McCallum was found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl from the age of five, with the abuse continuing for a period of 11 years. The court heard that the abuse occurred at an address in Larkhall between January 1994 and March 2006. The offences included not only sexual assault but also an attempted rape when the girl was between nine and 16 years old. The gravity of the crimes was underscored by the jury’s verdict, which confirmed McCallum’s guilt on multiple counts.

Additionally, McCallum was convicted of abusing his victim’s sister on one occasion when she was between eight and nine years old. This incident also took place at a residence in Larkhall, specifically between February 2003 and February 2004. The court’s decision was delivered by Judge Alastair Stewart QC, who emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable children. During the sentencing, the judge stated, “A jury has found you guilty of a number of offences, including the serious offence of attempted rape. It is the duty of the courts to protect young girls.”

As McCallum was led away to serve his sentence, members of the victims’ family expressed their outrage. Shouting from the courtroom, they called him a “beast,” reflecting their anger and grief over the crimes committed against their loved ones. Outside the court, the victims’ mother, who chose to remain unnamed for legal reasons, voiced her frustration, saying, “Five years is a joke, my weans have got a life sentence because of what he put them through. We are totally devastated, five years is not enough.” She also urged anyone who might have been victimized by McCallum to come forward, emphasizing the possibility that he may have abused other children and encouraging them to contact the police.

The case was further compounded by the testimony of the first victim, now 25 years old, who bravely recounted her experiences during the trial. She revealed that she was subjected to regular abuse by McCallum, which she kept secret out of fear. It was only as an adult that she found the courage to speak out. The court heard that McCallum’s abuse began when she was just five years old, with him making her touch him intimately. His conduct escalated over the years, and by the time she was nine, he was attempting to rape her regularly.

The second victim, now 18, came forward after a heated argument with her mother, during which she disclosed that McCallum had sexually abused her as well. Her revelation prompted police involvement, leading to McCallum’s arrest and subsequent charges. During the trial, McCallum denied the allegations, claiming, “It isn’t true. They are telling lies. It never happened.” Despite his denials, he was unable to provide any explanation as to why the sisters would fabricate such accusations.

The court also learned that McCallum has a prior conviction from 1983 for underage sex, which added to the severity of his sentencing. Defense lawyer Derek Ogg maintained that McCallum continues to assert his innocence. As part of his sentence, McCallum was placed on the sex offenders register, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.