WILLIAM MCARTHUR FROM ARMADALE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CRIMES IN GRANGEMOUTH AND DUMFRIES

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Armadale, Grangemouth, and Dumfries, William McArthur, a 36-year-old man from Armadale, has been handed a life sentence following his conviction for a series of heinous crimes involving sexual assault, attempted murder, and physical abuse of women and children.

The sentencing took place at Edinburgh High Court, where Judge Lord Uist described McArthur’s actions as “unspeakable, indeed incomprehensible evil.” The court heard how McArthur had inflicted numerous injuries on a four-year-old girl, who was found in a critical condition after being assaulted at a residence in Grangemouth. During the investigation, it was revealed that McArthur had also engaged in horrific sexual abuse during a campaign spanning from 2014 to 2018, targeting multiple victims.

One particularly disturbing aspect of the case involved McArthur encouraging a woman to send him topless photographs while his young victim was hospitalized and fighting for her life. The court was told that McArthur’s crimes extended beyond the assault on the child, as he had previously raped a woman and a teenage girl, and sexually assaulted another woman. His violent acts also included attacks on three children, demonstrating a pattern of dangerous and predatory behavior.

During the trial, McArthur’s defense lawyer, Donald Findlay QC, argued for a more lenient sentence, suggesting that a determinate term followed by supervision would be appropriate, citing McArthur’s lack of a criminal past deemed inherently dangerous. However, Judge Lord Uist rejected this plea, imposing an Order for Lifelong Restriction, which means McArthur will serve a minimum of seven years before he can apply for parole. The judge emphasized that McArthur remains a significant danger to society, especially to women and children he might come into contact with in the future.

Furthermore, McArthur has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses. The court also highlighted McArthur’s prior criminal history, which includes a 27-month imprisonment for assaults on three women. Despite denying some charges initially, he was convicted of nine crimes, including a 2014 attack on a six-year-old girl in Dumfriesshire and a 2017 rape of a 14-year-old girl in Grangemouth, after she had been drinking and was sick.

In December 2018, McArthur was convicted of a series of offenses, including the rape of a teenage girl and the attempted murder of the four-year-old girl. The investigation into the case was triggered when the young girl was found with serious injuries at an address in Grangemouth. The police’s inquiries revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse over several years, involving multiple victims across different locations, including Dumfries, Armadale, and Grangemouth.

William McArthur’s case has left a lasting impact on the communities involved, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the need for robust protective measures for vulnerable individuals. His sentencing marks a significant step in delivering justice for his victims and underscores the seriousness with which such crimes are treated by the judicial system.