LINWOOD CHILD MOLESTER DAVID PARR SENTENCED AFTER YEARS OF ABUSE IN RENFREWSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the community of Linwood and the surrounding areas, David Parr, a 68-year-old man from Linwood, was convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over nearly two decades in Renfrewshire. The High Court in Edinburgh sentenced Parr to four and a half years in prison for his disturbing crimes, which involved the abuse of five young girls aged between five and eleven. As part of his punishment, Parr will also be registered on the sex offenders’ register for life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his future contact with minors.

Details of the case reveal that Parr’s predatory behavior spanned from July 1990 to September 2009, with his offenses taking place across various locations including Linwood, Paisley, Johnstone, and other parts of Renfrewshire. The court heard that Parr’s first victim was a young girl aged between five and six, whom he targeted at addresses in Linwood and Paisley between July 1990 and July 1992. During this period, Parr engaged in inappropriate touching and rubbed himself against her, actions that left a lasting impact on the young girl.

Further into his criminal history, Parr molested another girl aged between ten and eleven, with incidents occurring from May 1997 to May 1999. These assaults took place in Johnstone, where he simulated sexual acts with her, and involved touching her private areas. The court also learned that between June 2001 and June 2002, Parr attempted to rape a nine-year-old girl at a residence in Linwood. During this same period, he also molested a 12-year-old girl in the town of Renfrewshire, continuing his pattern of predatory behavior.

The final victim, a girl aged between eight and nine, was assaulted by Parr between August and September 2009 in Linwood. He repeatedly touched her inappropriately during this time, completing a long and disturbing series of offenses. The court was told that Parr denied all allegations, but the evidence presented was overwhelming.

During the proceedings, defense counsel Louise Arrol acknowledged Parr’s awareness of the severity of his actions. She also mentioned that Parr had attended a school that addressed his learning difficulties, possibly implying some context for his behavior. However, Judge Lord Bannatyne emphasized the profound and lasting impact of Parr’s crimes on his victims. In his sentencing remarks, the judge stated, “There can be only one sentence in a case of this type and that is a significant custodial sentence,” underscoring the gravity of Parr’s offenses.

In a related development earlier in January 2015, Parr’s continued residence in Linwood near two primary schools and a nursery caused outrage among local parents and community members. Despite his recent conviction, Parr was granted bail after the trial at the High Court in Paisley, pending sentencing scheduled for later that month. This decision sparked anger among parents, especially the father of one of the victims, who expressed his frustration and concern about Parr’s proximity to children. The father, who requested anonymity, told The Gazette, “Obviously I’m absolutely delighted he’s been found guilty but I’m not happy he’s been granted bail. He still lives in Linwood, close to two schools and a nursery and yet he’s been convicted of sex attacks on wee girls. It’s been a traumatic experience for my daughter and she even had to walk past him on the way into court to give evidence. He’s never admitted his guilt and was smirking and drawing us daggers throughout the trial. It was sickening.”

The court proceedings revealed that Parr’s assaults occurred in various locations across Linwood, Paisley, and Johnstone, with the earliest attacks dating back to July 1990. His first victim was just five years old when he began his abuse, which involved touching her private parts and rubbing himself against her. These assaults continued until she was six. His subsequent victims ranged in age from nine to thirteen, with incidents involving indecent touching, simulated sex, and attempts at rape. One girl, aged nine, was assaulted at a flat in Linwood between June 2001 and June 2002, while another, aged thirteen, was repeatedly abused over an eleven-month period in 2001-2002.

As the case concluded, Parr was seen smiling as he left the court, a disturbing display that contrasted sharply with the serious nature of his crimes. The court has deferred sentencing until later in the month, at which point Parr is expected to face a lengthy prison term. In addition to his incarceration, he will be subject to strict restrictions, including bans on contact with his victims and children under the age of sixteen unless accompanied by an adult over twenty-one. The community remains deeply unsettled by the case, and many await the final sentencing with a sense of relief and concern for the safety of local children.