SIDNEY RIELLY FROM AIRDIRE SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR CUSTODY AND ABUSE OF CHILD IN EDINBURGH

In November 1999, Sidney Rielly, aged 67, of Katrine Crescent, Burnfoot, Airdrie, was sentenced to five years in prison for child abuse. Rielly had subjected a young girl to ongoing sexual abuse from the age of five, a period that lasted until she was a teenager. The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the abuse only ceased after the girl warned Rielly that she would report him to the police if he continued to molest her.

Rielly admitted to two charges of sexual offences committed against the girl, with the incidents ending in 1985. Although he was initially convicted at Airdrie Sheriff Court, the case was escalated to the High Court for sentencing because the sheriff believed that the maximum penalty of three years imprisonment was inadequate to address the severity of the crimes.

During the proceedings, Rielly told police he believed he should be shot for his actions.