CHRISTOPHER BAKER'S SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE ON ISLAND OF MULL: JAIL SENTENCE DOUBLED IN EDINBURGH

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of the Isle of Mull, Christopher Baker, a 77-year-old man with a long history of involvement in local charitable and cultural organizations, has been convicted of heinous child sexual abuse crimes. Baker, who previously served as the director of the Mull and Iona Community Trust and was an active figure in various local initiatives, was found guilty of abusing two young girls, aged just two and four, over a period spanning from 1986 to 2000.

His initial sentencing in November last year resulted in a two-year jail term, a decision that was met with criticism from prosecutors. They argued that the sentence was unduly lenient given the gravity of his offenses. The case was brought before the Sheriff Appeal Court in Edinburgh, where the sentence was reviewed and ultimately increased to four years in prison. The court’s decision reflects the serious nature of Baker’s crimes and the impact on his victims.

During the proceedings, Baker displayed a disturbing lack of remorse, laughing and joking with a friend in the gallery at Dumbarton Sheriff Court just moments before he was called to the dock. The court heard that Baker exploited his position of trust, responsibility, and influence to carry out physical, sexual, mental, and emotional abuse against the children. The victims, who bravely gave evidence at the trial in September, endured a decade of terror, with Baker abusing the first girl at two hotels and a country house, and the second girl at another property. The abuse continued until the younger girl reached the age of 12.

In November, Sheriff Maxwell Hendry placed Baker on the sex offenders’ register for ten years, emphasizing the severity of his actions. The sheriff stated, “They were terrified of you and of what might happen next. This was traumatic, life-changing and there are possible lifelong consequences.”

The court detailed how Baker’s abuse was meticulously planned and deliberate, with the first victim suffering enormous psychological harm. The court described his culpability as very high, noting that his actions caused sustained and repeated harm. The victims’ statements revealed the profound suffering and distress inflicted upon them, which continues to affect their lives today.

In addition to his criminal activities, Baker was a prominent figure in the local community, serving as the director of Mull Little Theatre for over ten years, a board member of Mull Car Club, and a founding member and director of the North West Mull Community Woodland Company. His case has cast a shadow over his previous contributions to the community, highlighting the devastating impact of his crimes on the victims and the wider community of the Isle of Mull.