BILLY MCGILL'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN FORTH AND LONGRIDGE: ICE CREAM MAN ABUSES YOUNG BOYS FOR OVER A DECADE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Forth and Longridge, Billy McGill, a man known for his role as an ice cream vendor, has been convicted of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of more than fourteen years. The 51-year-old, who operated his ice cream van across various locations including West Lothian and Lanarkshire, used his position and the trust placed in him by young children to carry out a series of abusive acts.

McGill's method involved recruiting schoolchildren as helpers during his rounds, often inviting them to assist him with his van. These children, some of whom were as young as early secondary school age, were lured with promises of early visits to a nearby cash and carry store the following morning. However, these innocent-sounding arrangements were a facade for his sinister intentions. The children were encouraged to sleep over at McGill’s caravan, which he kept at different locations such as near Climpy Road in Forth, Lanarkshire, and at an industrial estate in Addiewell, West Lothian. Once there, McGill would serve them vodka, some of whom were given alcohol on four out of his five victims, before subjecting them to sexual abuse.

Details of the case emerged during a High Court hearing in Edinburgh, where Judge Lady Scott delivered a stern warning about the severity of McGill’s actions. She stated, “The nature of these offences and the degree of planning and the gross breach of trust involved suggests you pose a serious risk to boys and young men.”

McGill had previously denied the allegations, claiming he was the victim of an internet smear campaign orchestrated by a rival ice cream seller. Despite his denials, evidence presented in court painted a disturbing picture of his conduct. Police investigations revealed that in 1988, McGill was staying at a caravan near Climpy Road, Forth, and operating his ice cream van from there. His operations extended to an industrial estate at Addiewell, where he also maintained a caravan.

Testimonies from victims were harrowing. One 37-year-old man, who was just starting secondary school when he helped McGill for about six weeks, described the experience as the hardest thing he had ever done. He recounted how McGill invited him to stay at a house in Carmuir, Forth, and explained that they would go early in the morning to a cash and carry in Wishaw. The victim was terrified because large German Shepherd dogs were outside, and it was during this visit that he was sexually abused. He also revealed that McGill attempted to molest him on another occasion, leading him to attempt suicide at age 15.

Another victim, now 26, testified that he was around 14 when he worked for McGill serving ice cream. He witnessed gatherings in McGill’s caravan where he saw other boys being molested, including instances of sexual intercourse and touching. Although McGill tried to have sex with him, he did not report the incident at the time. A third man, aged 31, recounted waking to see McGill engaged in sex with another youth. He took the initiative to wrap himself in a duvet, seize McGill’s mobile phone, and call the police. However, he was dismissed by officers who told him to return to bed, an experience that left him feeling helpless.

Despite these allegations, some former employees of McGill’s van testified in his defense, asserting that he had not made any advances toward them. Nevertheless, the court found the evidence against him compelling enough to convict him of eight sexual offense charges involving young boys.

Following his conviction, McGill was sentenced to seven years in prison. The judge also ordered that he be placed on the sex offender register for life and subjected to a three-year supervision order upon release. Lady Scott emphasized the gravity of the crimes, stating, “You have been convicted by the jury of a serious course of conduct involving sexual abuse of young boys,” and underscored the importance of assessing the risk he still poses to children.

In her closing remarks, the judge highlighted that McGill’s actions had shattered the trust of the community and inflicted lasting trauma on his victims. The case has brought to light the dangers lurking behind seemingly innocent community figures and underscores the importance of vigilance and safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable children from predators like Billy McGill.