DANIEL MCFARLANE SENTENCED IN INVERNESS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS AT GLASGOW UNIVERSITY

In a significant legal development, Daniel McFarlane, a man with a criminal history, was handed a five-year prison sentence in 2022 after being convicted of two separate sexual assault incidents that took place at the University of Glasgow during the years 2017 and 2018. Despite the relatively short duration of his sentence, McFarlane has already served approximately half of his term, raising concerns among victims and advocacy groups about the parole process and the potential for early release.

Recent developments have revealed that McFarlane is currently being considered for parole, a decision that has sparked frustration and distress among survivors and their supporters. The case has garnered attention because, although he is eligible for parole, the process involves multiple stages, including hearings where victims are often left in the dark about the proceedings. In this particular case, the parole hearing was scheduled for earlier this year, but it was deferred until February, with no immediate decision made at that time. This delay has only added to the anxiety experienced by those affected.

One survivor, Ellie Wilson, who endured sexual violence, expressed her feelings about the situation. She was informed that her attacker, McFarlane, was eligible for parole consideration, but she was also told that the parole board could not make a decision regarding early release at that moment. Despite her frustration, Ellie appreciated the fact that she was given some clarity and a measure of peace of mind during the Christmas period. She has become an active advocate for reforming the parole system, emphasizing the need for increased transparency and the rights of victims to participate in hearings. Ellie advocates for policies that would require offenders to admit guilt before being released and for victims to have the right to attend parole hearings.

Ellie Wilson is not alone in her concerns. She and fellow survivor Hannah McLaughlan are supporting The Courier’s campaign aimed at overhauling the parole process. The ongoing issue of deferred hearings and postponed decisions continues to impact victims and their families, often leaving them feeling powerless and uninformed. Cases like that of Tasmin Glass, who was released after serving five years, and Robbie McIntosh, whose hearing was unexpectedly postponed at the last minute, have caused additional distress among victims’ loved ones. These instances highlight the recurring problem of insufficient communication and transparency in parole proceedings, which only exacerbates the trauma experienced by victims and their families.

Overall, the case of Daniel McFarlane in Inverness underscores the urgent need for reforms in the parole system to better protect victims’ rights and ensure that justice is not only served but also perceived as fair and transparent by those most affected.