PETER FAWCETT SHOCKS TULLIBODY WITH PRISON RELEASE AFTER ABUSE CASE

In January 2001, the community of Tullibody was rocked by the release of Peter Fawcett, a man convicted of heinous crimes against his own family members. Fawcett, aged 70, had served only five months of a 12-month sentence for sexually abusing his granddaughter, Tara-Jay, and was released from prison, sparking fear and anger among those who knew the tragic history.

Fawcett's crimes against Tara-Jay, who is now 20, are deeply disturbing. She was subjected to abuse from the age of three, beginning with incidents at the local school in Tullibody, where Fawcett worked as a janitor. She recalls being lifted out of the swimming pool and led to the changing rooms, where the abuse started. Tara-Jay describes how she would sing nursery rhymes in her head to cope with the trauma during those moments.

Her memories are filled with horror: being taken to the school kitchen or boiler room, where Fawcett would perform acts of sexual violence on her daily after school hours. She vividly remembers feeling sick as he led her away, knowing what was about to happen, despite her young age. The abuse persisted for over a decade, ending only when she was 14 and refused to see him again.

What was not publicly known until later was that her mother, Louisa, now 50, was also a victim of Fawcett’s predatory behavior. She endured rape from her father starting at age eight or nine and was subjected to his insistence on sex well into her 40s. Fawcett’s criminal record includes a previous conviction for rape in 1955, which was revealed during his recent trial at the High Court in Perth.

In June, Fawcett was convicted of shameless indecency with Tara-Jay, based on one incident witnessed by her brother Robin. Counts of incest with his daughter and other abuse charges were not proven, as they were contested by Fawcett. The court heard that Fawcett’s history of sexual offenses extended back decades, yet he was released early from his current sentence, fueling outrage among the victims.

Both Tara-Jay and her mother, Louisa, have courageously chosen to waive their anonymity, aiming to shed light on their experiences and help other victims of abuse. Tara-Jay, who has established a website, http://www.URnotalone.org, which receives around 180 hits weekly, emphasizes the importance of sharing her story. She believes that detailed personal accounts can resonate with others and encourage them to seek help.

She states, “By making it more personal and telling the story in as much detail as possible, I think we have more chance of people listening to us. If it helps just one person then it is worth it. He tried to make me ashamed but he’s the one who’s guilty, he’s the one who should be sitting and thinking about what he did.”

During court proceedings, Tara-Jay revealed that much of the abuse occurred at the schools where Fawcett worked. She described how he would walk around the school, lock up, and then take her to secluded areas like the kitchen or boiler room, where he would perform acts of sexual violence, including rape, on a daily basis after school hours. Her account underscores the routine and systematic nature of her suffering.

Fawcett’s intimidation tactics kept her silent for years. He convinced her that she was to blame, telling her that if she ever told anyone, they wouldn’t believe her, and that her family would reject her. She believed his lies, feeling shame and guilt, and stopped fighting back. Her childhood was a paradox: on the surface, she appeared happy and outgoing, but internally, she was haunted by her secret pain.

Her family circumstances were complex. Her mother, Louisa, had separated from her father, Robin, when Tara-Jay was just six months old. Louisa relied on her own father and stepmother to care for her children while she worked night shifts as a minicab controller. Fawcett, her grandfather, was effectively left in charge of the children during these times, which allowed him to continue his abuse.

She recalls how Fawcett would touch her under the covers even when other family members were present, and how he would rape her when she was alone in the house. At age 11 or 12, Robin, her brother, caught her being abused. She describes how Robin walked in on her being kissed and touched by Fawcett, and how she tried to deny everything to him, fearing that if he told anyone, he would be disbelieved.

At 14, Tara-Jay finally found the courage to rebel. She was locked in the house by her mother, who was going to work, and she managed to escape, running all the way home after her grandfather’s wife unlocked the door. The abuse ceased after this incident, but the scars remained.

She later moved to England to join her father, seeking a fresh start. However, in February 1998, at age 17, her life took a dark turn when her brother Robin’s childhood memories of witnessing her abuse surfaced during a family argument. Robin threatened to reveal damaging truths about Fawcett, which caused Tara-Jay to become overwhelmed with emotion.

Her father, Robin, tried to comfort her, and she eventually confided in him about her abuse. This revelation led to a heartfelt family discussion, during which her father expressed guilt for not having recognized the signs earlier. The truth about her suffering was finally out in the open.

The moment of truth was devastating for her mother, Louisa, who was told about the abuse. She recalls her shock and guilt vividly: “I just blurted it out, ‘I was abused as a child. It wasn’t my fault, I didn’t mean it.’ My mum turned white and asked, ‘Who by?’ I remember telling her, ‘Grandpa. I know he’s your dad, but please believe me.’ She just said, ‘I know. He did it to me as well.’”

Louisa admits she feels overwhelming guilt for not having protected her children and for her own past suffering. She reflects on her childhood, where she believed her father’s abuse was her punishment for her mother leaving her father for another man. She explains that she never suspected her father, Fawcett, was capable of such acts against her daughter.

Despite the pain, Louisa has come to support Tara-Jay’s decision to speak out, understanding the importance of breaking the silence. Tara-Jay’s journey of recovery has been arduous. She had to give up her job as an office administrator due to stress and panic attacks, and she distanced herself from friends and colleagues who couldn’t understand her trauma. In April, she and her father moved back to Scotland to start anew, but her fears persist.

She describes her ongoing struggle: “I was practically agoraphobic before and, now that he’s out, I can feel myself relapsing.” Her loyal German shepherd dog provides her comfort and a sense of safety. The main source of strength remains her family and the support network of other survivors she has connected with through her website, which allows her to communicate anonymously.

Tara-Jay emphasizes the importance of these connections: “I’m exchanging private e-mails with a good few people and I like to think we’re helping each other a lot. It’s like looking in a mirror. It only takes three or four e-mails to become friends. Each of us knows the other so well. There’s no pretending. They can tell me absolutely everything or nothing. I’m just there to listen or talk rubbish. I have met up with five of them, and one is staying with me and my dad right now. Going on the website was the best thing I ever did, and it probably saved my life. That makes everything worthwhile.”