GORDON FERNIE FROM GRETNA SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD RAPE IN GLASGOW

In a case that has shocked the community and brought to light the heinous crimes committed over decades, Gordon Fernie, a 46-year-old man from Gretna, was sentenced to nine years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow for the sexual abuse and rape of multiple children. The offences spanned a period from 1976 to 2001, during which Fernie exploited vulnerable young victims at various addresses across Glasgow.

Fernie’s criminal actions involved two young girls, aged just two and four at the time the abuse began, as well as a seven-year-old boy. The severity and duration of his crimes were detailed during the trial, with evidence revealing that Fernie subjected the girls to repeated sexual assaults. The victims, now aged 25 and 18, were also forced to watch pornographic films, a disturbing detail that underscored the extent of Fernie’s abusive behaviour.

During the court proceedings, Lord Turnbull emphasized the gravity of the case, describing it as one of the most serious and worst instances of its kind. The judge ordered Fernie to be placed on the sex offenders’ register and recommended a ban on his employment involving children, reflecting the potential risk he poses to society.

Fernie’s criminal record also includes a conviction for raping another girl over an eight-year period, as well as multiple incidents where he assaulted a girl aged between two and ten. The jury found him guilty of these offences, which further highlighted the pattern of his predatory behaviour.

Adding to the disturbing nature of his crimes, Fernie was convicted of raping a young boy in the 1970s. The victim was only seven years old when Fernie, then a teenager, began abusing him, marking a deeply troubling chapter in his criminal history.

In delivering the sentence, Lord Turnbull stated, “This sexual abuse is one of the most serious and worst cases of its type. I had the benefit of hearing and seeing your victims give evidence about your abusive behaviour. Their evidence was powerful and compelling, and I was entirely convinced they were utterly truthful in describing what happened to them.” The court’s verdict underscores the severity of Fernie’s crimes and the lasting impact on his victims, who endured years of suffering at his hands.