GEORGE BELMONTE'S TRAGIC END IN GLENCAPLE: DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY'S NOTORIOUS PAEDOPHILE DIES AT 72

In a somber development, George Belmonte, a figure infamous across Dumfries and Galloway for his long history of sexual offenses and community unrest, has passed away at the age of 72. His death occurred at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, where he was reportedly battling cancer, on a Wednesday. Belmonte’s life was marred by a series of convictions dating back to the 1950s, and he was a registered sex offender for much of his life.

Belmonte, often recognized by his distinctive long grey hair and beard, had a notorious reputation that preceded him. His attempts to establish a new life in Southern Scotland after his release from prison in 1999 were repeatedly thwarted by local residents. Despite his efforts to settle in areas such as Middlebie near Annan, he was driven out by the angry and vigilant communities who recognized his past and refused to accept his presence.

His criminal record included a range of sex offenses against children, which made him a persistent concern for law enforcement and local residents alike. In 2003, he was incarcerated once more after being convicted of luring a seven-year-old boy and a twelve-year-old girl into rushes at Glencaple, a village near Dumfries. This incident further cemented his reputation as a dangerous individual in the region.

Belmonte’s history of fleeing from community backlash was well documented. In 1999, after being released from prison for abducting a teenage girl, he attempted to settle in Southern Scotland. However, his presence was met with hostility, leading to his eviction from multiple homes, including one at Middlebie. His pattern of moving from place to place was often driven by the fear and anger of local residents who sought to keep him away from their communities.

In June 2000, Belmonte was reported missing from a remote estate near Eskdalemuir. The 68-year-old had been given refuge there after being chased out of various towns and villages across Dumfries and Galloway. A significant search effort was launched when he was reported missing, but he was eventually found three days later in Ettrick Forest. Authorities explained that he had become disoriented and lost while walking in the forest.

Throughout his troubled life, Belmonte’s presence in the region continued to stir controversy. Notably, he moved to the Pengrain Estate at the invitation of its owner, Dr. Colin Betts, despite widespread concern among local parents about his proximity to children. Dr. Betts publicly called for understanding and peace, urging the community to accept Belmonte’s presence. However, just weeks prior to his death, Belmonte went into hiding after a caravan he was believed to be living in was overturned on the outskirts of Creetown in Galloway. This incident occurred shortly after his transfer from Lockerbie, where public outrage over his presence had been intense.

Belmonte’s life and death serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by communities in managing individuals with a history of sexual offenses, and the persistent fears that such figures evoke among residents of Dumfries and Galloway.