IAN MCHARDY FROM KILBIRNIE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS IN NORTH AYRSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the local community of Kilbirnie and the wider North Ayrshire area, Ian McHardy, aged 68, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing two young girls at his residence. The crimes took place over a span of more than a decade, from 1996 to 2010, involving victims whose ages ranged from five to 13 at the time of the abuse.

McHardy's conviction was the result of a trial held at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, where he faced multiple charges of lewd and libidinous behavior. The court heard detailed testimonies from the victims, who appeared via video-link and behind screens to give evidence. One of the girls, now 12 years old, recounted a disturbing incident where McHardy sat her on his lap while reading a story. She described how he suddenly grabbed her hand and forced it to his private parts, an act she struggled to resist before fleeing upstairs in fear.

The girl also revealed that McHardy’s wife, Irene, did not take her complaints seriously. She recounted that Mrs. McHardy dismissed her concerns, treating them as a joke, and even told her, “I’ll slap him later on.” This dismissive attitude appeared to have compounded the trauma experienced by the young victims.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution, led by depute fiscal John Miller, questioned Mrs. Irene McHardy about her apparent lack of concern or inquiry into the allegations. She insisted she never asked her husband about the claims because she believed they were false. However, Mr. Miller challenged her account, suggesting that she was not truthful and that she chose to ignore the abuse, allowing her husband to continue his misconduct without intervention. He pointed out that there were instances when the girls, who were under the couple’s care at the time, sat on McHardy’s lap in the living room, and Mrs. McHardy was either unaware or unconcerned about what was happening.

Mrs. McHardy denied these accusations, asserting that the girls fabricated the allegations due to a falling-out between their parents and her husband. Despite her denial, the court found sufficient evidence to convict McHardy of the charges, leading to his imprisonment and a lifelong order to register as a sex offender. The case has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and support for victims of abuse.