THOMAS MCCOLL'S SHOCKING REPEATED OFFENSES IN KELSO AND RENNIE COURT

Thomas McColl, a man with a troubling criminal history, was recently sentenced to an additional prison term after breaching the conditions of his previous orders. His latest violations took place in Kelso and Rennie Court, highlighting a pattern of concerning behavior that has drawn significant attention from the justice system.

McColl, now 34 years old, had previously served an eight-year sentence for the heinous crime of raping a 12-year-old girl in Hawick back in 2007. At that time, he was only 21 years old. His initial conviction was for a brutal assault on a young girl, which he claimed was influenced by his intoxication and the belief that the girl was interested in him. The court at the time sentenced him to eight years in prison, and he was monitored for an additional five years following his release to ensure compliance with the terms of his release conditions.

However, shortly after the monitoring period concluded, McColl's behavior raised serious concerns once again. He was found to have allowed three girls under the age of 16 to visit his residence in Kelso on multiple occasions without supervision. These visits occurred despite the restrictions placed on him due to his previous offenses, which were meant to prevent him from having contact with minors. His actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the legal restrictions designed to protect vulnerable young people.

In addition to these breaches, McColl admitted to supplying alcohol to a 16-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl at his flat located in Rennie Court between August and October of the previous year, 2020. These admissions further underscored his ongoing pattern of risky and illegal behavior involving minors and alcohol, which is a serious concern for community safety.

McColl appeared before Selkirk Sheriff Court via videolink to face charges related to breaching the terms of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order. During the hearing, he pleaded guilty to the violations, acknowledging that he had failed to adhere to the restrictions imposed on him. Sheriff Peter Paterson sentenced him to 20 months in prison for these breaches. In his remarks, the sheriff expressed disbelief that McColl would allow young girls to visit his flat, given his criminal record. Sheriff Paterson emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "You knew full well what was involved," highlighting the defendant's awareness of the restrictions and the seriousness of his violations.

Defense lawyer Ross Dow attempted to mitigate the situation by pointing out that McColl was never alone with any of the children during these visits. He also noted that his client does not have many friends, implying that his social circle is limited. Despite these arguments, the court maintained that McColl's actions were unacceptable and warranted a significant custodial sentence.

It is important to note that McColl's prison sentence was back-dated to November 9, the date he was first remanded in custody in connection with these latest charges. His history of offending and subsequent breaches serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in managing individuals with a history of sexual offenses and the importance of strict supervision to prevent further harm.