ARCHIBALD BUCHANAN OF DOONFOOT SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENSES IN AYR

In May 2016, a disturbing case involving Archibald Buchanan, a 68-year-old taxi driver from Doonfoot, culminated in a severe legal sentence after he was found guilty of multiple sexual offenses. Buchanan, who has spent over thirty years working as a cab driver with companies such as Gribbens, Streamline, and Ayr black cabs, was convicted of heinous acts committed against two victims, one of whom was a young girl aged just 12.

During the proceedings at Ayr Sheriff Court, Buchanan showed no visible emotion as he was led away to serve his sentence. Sheriff John Montgomery delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing the betrayal of trust involved in the crimes and the emotional toll inflicted upon the victims. The sheriff stated, “The effects of this (abuse of trust) was all too evident during the trial, which added to the way they felt towards you by causing them to have to undergo examination in a public court.”

He further condemned Buchanan’s apparent lack of remorse, describing his display of sorrow as “hollow and self-serving,” given the nature of his actions, which he labeled as “grossly abhorrent.”

Defense lawyer Peter Lockhart acknowledged that Buchanan understood the necessity of a custodial sentence and assessed his client as being at a moderate risk of re-offending. Lockhart also noted that Buchanan maintained his innocence regarding the charges, stating, “His position is he still denies the offences. But there is an inevitability here, my Lord, and he has been prepared for that.”

As a result, Buchanan was sentenced to three years in prison, with an additional two-year extension on his release. He was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The court’s findings detailed two separate incidents: the first involving a woman at her home in Tarbolton, where Buchanan committed a sex act and shaved her pubic hair while she was asleep, between January 1, 1998, and September 29, 2000. The second incident involved the young girl on October 23, 2002, where Buchanan made sexual remarks, induced her to view pornographic images, and performed a sex act on himself.

Throughout the trial, Buchanan maintained his denial of the charges, which led to a three-day court process during which both victims were compelled to give evidence. The court’s verdict underscores the gravity of his offenses and the impact on the victims, leading to a significant custodial sentence for the convicted offender from Doonfoot.