FIFE GP CALUM MACGLONE SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES

In October 2017, Calum MacGlone, a general practitioner from Fife, was sentenced to four years in prison for downloading extremely severe child abuse images. Sheriff Grant McCulloch described MacGlone's actions as “disgusting and depraved,” and ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Sheriff McCulloch emphasized the need for a custodial sentence, citing concerns that MacGlone's potential risk could not be adequately managed in the community. He also stated that upon release, MacGlone would be fully monitored, as the likelihood of re-offending was considered “very high.”

During the hearing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, MacGlone, dressed in a pale grey suit, white shirt, and pink tie, showed no emotion as he was led away in handcuffs to begin his sentence. MacGlone, aged 48, previously operated a practice at Kirkcaldy Health Centre until his suspension from the medical register in December after his offending came to light.

He admitted to taking or permitting the taking of, or making, indecent photographs or pseudophotographs of children. These offences occurred between September 23 and November 8, 2016, at his then residence in Kirkcaldy. Court records noted that MacGlone has since left Kirkcaldy, with his address listed as Glenshee Street, Hamilton.

While the charge covered a seven-week period, it was revealed that MacGlone had confessed to engaging in this behavior over many years. A solicitor representing him explained that after giving a “no comment interview,” MacGlone was released on bail with conditions, including no unsupervised contact with children under 17, except for certain family members which was later removed. His text and phone messages are being monitored.

The solicitor added that MacGlone had been seeking to understand his “predisposition” through a specialized website addressing his offending behavior, and had been practicing meditation to control obsessive thoughts, aiming to improve his mental state.

During the plea for leniency, the solicitor noted that MacGlone was being completely open and honest, had no prior convictions, and was cooperating with criminal justice reports.

In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff McCulloch acknowledged MacGlone’s responsibility for the collection of some of the most severe indecent images of children and pointed out that although the offences were confined to a short period, he had admitted to decades of similar conduct. The sheriff also highlighted the “very high” risk of continued activity and re-offending and expressed concern over whether this risk could be effectively managed in the community.

Sheriff McCulloch stated that the case met the criteria for an extended sentence, resulting in four years’ imprisonment, with half of this period to be served on supervised licence. Additionally, MacGlone was ordered to complete a behavioral program aimed at treating men convicted of sexual offenses.