ALASDAIR MCCULLOCH'S SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN FRASERBURGH AND EDINBURGH

Alasdair McCulloch, a former football coach from Fraserburgh, has been handed an extended prison sentence after being convicted of additional sexual offences involving two more young boys. McCulloch, who was already serving time for child abuse, faced further charges that came to light during a court hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Initially, McCulloch was sentenced in 2018 to four and a half years in prison for his previous misconduct. However, during the recent proceedings, he admitted to abusing two more boys, which led to a new, more severe sentence. The court sentenced him to an overall term of six years, with four of those years to be served behind bars. The offences in question spanned from 1998 to 2006, a period during which McCulloch used his position as a coach to target vulnerable children, some of whom were of primary school age.

McCulloch’s abusive actions included lewd and libidinous conduct, which he later confessed to during the court hearing. His victims were young boys, with one victim being just 11 years old at the time of the abuse, and another being assaulted when he was 13. The court heard that McCulloch’s misconduct was not isolated but part of a disturbing pattern of predatory behaviour that extended over several years.

Judge Lord Boyd of Duncansby highlighted that McCulloch was released from prison on 13 May 2022 and was eligible for parole by August of the same year. The judge emphasized that the offences bore similarities to his previous conviction, indicating a continued pattern of misconduct. In his remarks, Lord Boyd acknowledged McCulloch’s expression of remorse, noting that the defendant had suffered neglect, exposure to domestic violence, and substance abuse during his childhood.

The case underscores the troubling pattern of behaviour exhibited by McCulloch, who exploited his coaching role to prey on young boys over a decade ago. His actions included inappropriate conduct and sexual abuse, with some victims being of primary school age. Despite his remorse during sentencing, the court made it clear that the seriousness of his offences and the ongoing risk he poses to the community cannot be overlooked. The decision reflects the judiciary’s stance on protecting vulnerable children and ensuring that offenders like McCulloch are held accountable for their actions.