WILLIAM MCLUCKIE: CHAPELHALL AND AIRDRIE SEX OFFENDER CONVICTED OF CHILD SEX ABUSE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Chapelhall, Airdrie, and Bellshill, William McLuckie has been found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offences committed over a span of nearly three decades. The conviction was handed down at the High Court in Glasgow, where the severity of his crimes was acknowledged by the presiding judge, Lady Wolffe.

McLuckie, who previously resided in Chapelhall and is now living on Elmbank Street in Bellshill, was accused of repeatedly attempting to sexually assault a young girl during her childhood, from the age of four until she was 13. The court heard that his offending extended beyond this victim, as he was also convicted of abusing three other young girls at various addresses in Airdrie. These offences took place over a lengthy period, beginning in 1967 and continuing until 1994, highlighting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior spanning over 27 years.

During the proceedings, Judge Lady Wolffe addressed McLuckie directly, stating, “You have been found guilty of a number of serious offences which have had a devastating effect on the complainers.” She chose to defer sentencing until later in the month, citing McLuckie’s status as a first-time offender, and remanded him into custody pending sentencing. Additionally, she ordered that McLuckie be registered on the sex offenders’ register, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes.

Prosecutor Advocate depute David Taylor presented evidence that two of McLuckie’s victims had written impact statements, which they submitted to the court. The case against McLuckie was largely uncovered after his most recent victim, overwhelmed by her emotions, confided in her mother about the abuse she had suffered. This victim was subjected to McLuckie’s sexual abuse from August 1989 to January 1994, when she was between four and eight years old.

Following her disclosure, police investigations were launched, leading to other victims coming forward to provide evidence against McLuckie. Throughout the trial, McLuckie admitted to sexually abusing three of his victims but claimed that their accounts had been exaggerated. He vehemently denied attempting to rape a fourth girl, despite being convicted of seven charges related to his abuse.

At the conclusion of the trial, two charges of sexual abuse were dropped from the indictment. McLuckie, who was also accused of attempting to rape one girl on multiple occasions at an address in Airdrie, admitted to abusing another girl between 1967 and 1971, when she was aged 12 to 15. He also acknowledged abusing a third victim from 1969 to 1975 but denied two additional charges alleging forced oral sex.

Furthermore, McLuckie admitted to kissing and touching a fourth victim on various occasions between 1989 and 1994, when she was aged four to eight. His defense lawyer, Louise Arrol, highlighted the complexity of the case, stating, “This has been a very difficult case because Mr McLuckie admits three of the charges against him, but emphatically denies the others.”

During jury deliberations, proceedings were temporarily halted when McLuckie fell ill with a bad back and was transported to the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow for treatment. The jury resumed their deliberations the following morning, and by the afternoon, they returned a verdict of guilty on all charges. The court’s decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing fight against child sexual abuse, with McLuckie now facing the consequences of his actions.