ANGUS FRANCIS FROM FORT WILLIAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING VULNERABLE SCHOOLGIRL IN OBAN

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Angus Francis, a 27-year-old man from Fort William, has been convicted and sentenced for engaging in sexual activities with a vulnerable schoolgirl in Oban. The sentencing took place at Dumbarton Sheriff Court, where the court heard detailed accounts of the offenses and the background of the offender.

Francis was found guilty of having sexual relations with the girl on multiple occasions between April 1, 2012, and June 29, 2013. The court established that these acts occurred at two different properties in Oban, a seaside town known for its scenic beauty and tourist appeal. The conviction also included the fact that Francis had sex with the girl twice when she was just 14 and 15 years old, respectively.

The case initially came to light when Francis appeared at Oban Sheriff Court in September, facing charges related to his sexual misconduct with the young girl. During the trial, the court was presented with evidence that Francis had met the girl at a pub in Oban in 2012. The girl, now 19, provided emotional testimony, revealing her state of vulnerability at the time. She explained that she was experiencing a difficult period in her life, marked by bullying at school and a lack of close friends her own age. She described having only two older friends and feeling isolated.

According to her testimony, after meeting Francis at the pub, they maintained contact through text messages. A few weeks later, they arranged to meet again, which resulted in sexual activity. She recounted that Francis had warned her to keep their relationship a secret, saying, “He told me I couldn’t tell anybody because it was our secret. He could get into trouble.” The girl admitted feeling conflicted, recognizing that what they were doing was wrong, but also feeling a sense of validation and being wanted, stating, “I felt really dirty but he made me feel like I was wanted, that somebody on this planet wanted me.”

Her account further detailed that they had sex again in 2013 when she was 15. The jury ultimately found Francis guilty of twice having sex with the girl during the specified period, as well as engaging in multiple sexual encounters over the course of a year.

Initially, Francis was scheduled for sentencing at Dumbarton last month, but the hearing was postponed to allow for a psychiatric assessment. The court was informed that Francis had received a clean bill of mental health from the evaluation. However, the report did identify traits consistent with narcissistic personality disorder, which the court considered relevant to the case.

During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff William Gallacher addressed the court, emphasizing the vulnerability of the young girl and the gravity of Francis’s actions. He stated, “It was abundantly plain to me that the young girl was open, or at least susceptible, to abuse because of her vulnerability. It may be that she was simply there and open to the abuse. She may have had a different perspective. That does not matter. The current legislation exists to protect children and imposes a responsibility on adults. It’s plain to me that you were aware of the circumstances of this young girl.”

Sheriff Gallacher expressed his view that the seriousness of the offenses warranted a substantial sentence. He remarked, “It’s clear to me because of the gravity of the offences that there is scope for intervening in your attitudes. And it is appropriate for me to hand out an extended sentence.” Ultimately, Francis was sentenced to four and a half years in total, with 18 months to be served in custody, and the remainder on licence for a further three years after release, reflecting the court’s concern over the severity of the crimes committed in the scenic yet sometimes perilous town of Oban.