HAMISH MCCALL, RETIRED BUSINESSMAN, SENTENCED IN HAMILTON FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT NEAR SCHOOL

Retired auctioneer Hamish McCall, aged 66, was involved in a scandal near a primary school in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, after stopping his car outside as children were leaving. He was later arrested following police statements from two children. The incident involved McCall performing a sex act in front of the children, which led to his conviction.

Witnesses included pupils from a nearby secondary school, who saw McCall in his vehicle, and a supermarket worker who observed a group of children pointing and laughing. The worker was distressed to discover that McCall had his trousers down. He noted the vehicle's registration before McCall sped away. Two children provided statements to police, prompting an investigation that resulted in McCall’s arrest.

McCall, of Strathaven, was convicted at Hamilton Sheriff Court in February 2020 of intentionally engaging in sexual activity in front of the children after a trial. Sheriff Moira MacKenzie sentenced him to 18 months of supervision and placed him on the sex offenders register for the same period.

During the hearing, McCall claimed he had stopped to answer his mobile phone and insisted he had done nothing wrong. He stated: "I have no interest in schools whatsoever, I went up past it to avoid congestion in Hamilton and had to answer my phone. I do have a habit of rubbing the top of my leg while I'm on the phone but no way would I have exposed myself. When I was interviewed by the police I was totally flabbergasted by what was happening because I had done nothing wrong, the wind had been taken right out my sails."

A former golf club captain and respected community member, McCall retired in 2020 after a 48-year career in agriculture. Despite his prior reputation, his actions have severely damaged his standing.

During police questioning, a 14-year-old girl reported witnessing the incident, saying: "I saw a man in the car and his pants were down and his trousers were open down to his waist. I don't know how long it went on for but I looked away after about 10 seconds. It made me feel embarrassed and it felt quite disgusting. I had just turned 14 and I was quite shocked when I got home because I'd never seen anything like that before." A 13-year-old boy also testified that he saw an elderly man in a vehicle with his phone out, with his hand moving up and down.

Defence solicitor Brian Fitzpatrick highlighted the lack of previous convictions in his client's record, stating: "It's hard to know how to address the court when Mr McCall is a 66-year-old man with no previous convictions."

Sheriff MacKenzie concluded that McCall would serve a community payback order and be under supervision for the next 18 months.