DANGEROUS PAEDOPHILE DAVID LOGAN FROM CHAPELHALL SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES AGAINST GIRLS

In March 2019, David Logan, a man previously convicted of heinous crimes, was released from custody after serving part of his sentence. His criminal history, however, continues to cast a long shadow over the community of Chapelhall, where he resided and committed his offenses.

Back in May 2018, Logan, a 55-year-old grandfather, was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Airdrie Sheriff Court after being found guilty of historic sexual offences committed against two young girls during the years 1996 and 1997. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about his predatory behavior and manipulative tactics used to exploit vulnerable victims.

According to court testimonies, Logan, a devout churchgoer from Elm Drive, Chapelhall, would wait outside the local secondary school during lunchtime, targeting schoolgirls as they arrived or left. He would lure them into his lorry, which he parked nearby, by offering them money to buy sweets from a shop close to the school. While one girl was sent to purchase treats, he would draw the curtains of his vehicle’s cabin and molest the other girl, subjecting her to repeated abuse.

One of the victims, who spoke to the local newspaper, the Advertiser, disclosed that she was assaulted approximately 20 to 25 times by Logan. She recounted her traumatic experiences, saying, “In his lorry, he would put his hands under my clothes and touch my bare skin.” Her account paints a disturbing picture of the manipulation and grooming that Logan employed, as he cultivated a relationship with the girls through his involvement in the church community they attended with their families. The abuse extended beyond the lorry, occurring during church trips and other church-related activities.

Decades later, the scars of her ordeal remain vivid. The woman described Logan as “a creepy old man who will never change,” emphasizing that even thinking about him causes her distress. She recalled a particular moment when Logan gave her a tape featuring the Etta James song “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” which she now views as a symbol of his manipulative nature. She expressed her frustration that Logan has never shown remorse for his actions, stating, “He’s a good liar and not one part of him is remorseful for what he did or the impact he’s had on our lives.”

During his trial, the woman bravely gave evidence, describing how difficult it was to face him in court. She said, “Appearing on the stand was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.” Her pain was compounded by Logan’s refusal to admit guilt. She recounted how, upon hearing the jury’s verdict, he shouted, “God forgive you,” a statement she found deeply upsetting, believing he was the one who needed forgiveness. She also recalled the moment he was led away, looking her directly in the eye and uttering, “thou shalt not bear false witness,” a comment that underscored his manipulative and defiant attitude.

She further explained how Logan exploited her trust, making her believe that his presence at her school was innocent and related to his church connections. “He made us think our parents knew he was at our school to bring us our lunch,” she said. Her fear grew when she was alone with him in the lorry, feeling worried and desperate for the other girl to return. She admitted that she never spoke out earlier because she believed no one would believe her against an adult.

The woman vividly remembers the moment she realized something was terribly wrong. She was an animal lover and had rabbits with a large underground run. Logan, knowing her interests, built a similar rabbit enclosure and asked her parents to let her see it. During a visit, he suddenly pinned her down on his living room floor, an experience she describes as terrifying and traumatic.

Although Logan’s conviction has provided her with some closure, she revealed that she was forced to leave the Chapelhall area years ago due to fears for her safety. “He used to sit outside my work. I was terrified of what he might do,” she explained. It was only after relocating north that she felt safe enough to return, and the sentencing of Logan was the first time she had seen him in many years.

Now a mother herself, she admits that her past experiences have profoundly affected her approach to parenting. “I don’t want to let them out of my sight. If they want to go out or visit friends, I panic,” she said. Her oldest child struggles to understand her overprotectiveness, but she confesses that her inability to fully trust stems directly from her ordeal with David Logan, whose actions continue to haunt her life.