THOMAS MCCRORY PENSIONER FROM RENFREW ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE GUILTY PLEA IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CASE

In June 2019, a deeply distressing case unfolded at Paisley Sheriff Court involving a 77-year-old man named Thomas McCrory from Renfrew, who was convicted of sexually abusing a young girl. The victim, a teenage girl whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was subjected to a traumatic assault by McCrory after he entered her home uninvited. The incident occurred in 2017 when she visited McCrory’s flat, fell asleep while watching television, and was then attacked while he was intoxicated from the pub.

According to her account, McCrory crept into her bed, took a photograph of her without her consent, and then proceeded to kiss her neck and brush her hair. The assault escalated as he began groping her under her pajamas. Despite her desperate attempt to escape, McCrory simply rolled over and went back to sleep, leaving her shaken and terrified. The girl managed to flee the scene and confided in her mother, prompting them to contact the police. However, McCrory initially refused to admit to the crime, forcing the girl and her family through the ordeal of a trial.

After a lengthy legal process, McCrory was found guilty of the charges last month. When he appeared before Sheriff David Pender on the day of sentencing, he showed no visible emotion. His family was present in the courtroom gallery to witness the proceedings. The sheriff, considering McCrory’s advanced age and lack of previous convictions, decided against imposing a custodial sentence. Instead, he sentenced McCrory to three years of supervision and ordered him to register as a sex offender. Additionally, McCrory was prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with children and warned that breaching these conditions could result in imprisonment.

Despite the legal outcome, the victim’s mother expressed her profound disappointment and anger. She described the court appearance as “absolutely disgusting,” noting the presence of supporters for McCrory in the courtroom. She revealed that her daughter has struggled immensely, even attempting to take her own life due to the trauma inflicted by McCrory. The mother emphasized her concern that McCrory would soon be back on the streets, potentially mingling with the community and visiting local pubs, where he could pose a further risk to children. She called for changes to the country’s laws to ensure harsher punishments for offenders like him.

McCrory, who resides on Birch Way in Renfrew, has also been ordered to pay the victim £1,000 in compensation. Furthermore, he is required to complete 300 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months. During the court proceedings, McCrory claimed that his victim fabricated the allegations to seek attention, a denial that was met with outrage by the victim’s family. The case has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety of children and the adequacy of legal penalties for sexual offenses.