'˜Sexual predator' handed 7-year extended sentence

Craig McGlynn, of Lady Nairne Crescent, Duddingston, was found guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards four girls and indecent assault against another. The offences took place between 1997 and 2009, involving girls aged between eight and 16.

Sentence had been deferred until yesterday for a social work report.

Sheriff Liddle told McGlynn: “You abused them and repeatedly abused them. You have a long history of convictions spanning decades, not all of which relate to sexual offending, but in the report I have there are two offences of a similar type of offending.”

He added: “This is not just something that cropped up. This is something you have done for a considerable time. I consider you to be a danger to the public and a danger to young females in particular.”

Describing McGlynn as “a sexual predator”, Sheriff Liddle told him: “I have considered very seriously whether I should remit this case to the High Court because I am limited to five years as a custodial sentence. However, I have considered if I use the full extent of my powers I can deal with this today”.

Sheriff Liddle sentenced McGlynn to two years on three of the charges and then turned to the two remaining charges, telling McGlynn: “You caused harm to all those who gave evidence.”

At this, McGlynn shouted: “Liars.”

The sheriff said on the two charges he would impose a seven-year extended sentence, with five years being the custodial part.

He said: “Because of the danger you present to the public for the extended part of two years you will be on licence on conditions decided by Scottish ministers.”

He told McGlynn that if he offended during his period on licence he would be returned to custody. The sentences were concurrent and backdated to March when McGlynn was remanded.

Detective Chief Inspector Alwyn Bell, from the Edinburgh Public Protection Unit said: “This sentence is testament to the courage all his victims demonstrated in coming forward and reinforces the commitment of Police Scotland and the Crown Office to identifying sexual crime offenders and removing them from our communities.”