JAMES GIFF'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN GREENOCK: SEX OFFENDER'S HORRIFIC ATTACKS AND BAIL BREACHES

In October 2014, a disturbing case unfolded in Greenock involving James Giff, a 57-year-old sex offender whose heinous actions against young victims have shocked the community. Giff, who had previously been convicted of sexual misconduct, was brought before Greenock Sheriff Court to face a lengthy sentence after a series of grave offenses.

During the court proceedings, Giff was visibly emotional and struggled with guards as he was led into the dock. He wept and mumbled incoherently, clearly overwhelmed by the gravity of the sentence he was about to receive. The court heard that he was to serve a total of three and a half years in prison for his crimes, which included multiple sexual assaults and breaches of bail conditions.

The court was told that Giff had a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior, which involved luring young victims with alcohol before assaulting them. One of his victims, a 15-year-old boy, recounted how Giff had put his hands inside the boy’s underwear, then began growling like a dog and baring his teeth when the boy tried to pull away. This assault took place at Giff’s flat on Finch Road in Greenock in 2007. The same offender was also convicted of indecently assaulting a second teenage male, an incident that occurred last year at the same address.

Giff’s actions were further compounded by his dishonesty during the court’s investigation. The court heard that he lied to social workers who were tasked with preparing a report and risk assessment on him, which delayed his sentencing by several weeks. His defense advocate, Tony Lenaghan, described Giff as a man battling alcoholism, suggesting that progress would require a step-by-step approach. However, the court was critical of Giff’s lack of honesty, noting that he had provided inconsistent accounts during the investigation.

Giff was initially charged with multiple offenses involving six different individuals aged between 14 and 36. These included two counts of indecent assault, as well as violations of bail conditions, such as contacting his victims through social media. The court was told that Giff had breached bail twice, once by contacting his first victim online and another time by allowing an 18-year-old male into his home despite ongoing investigations.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton expressed his concern over Giff’s dishonesty and the seriousness of his offenses. He emphasized that the gravity of the assaults and the repeated breaches of bail left no choice but to impose a custodial sentence. Giff was sentenced to 13 months in prison on four charges, with an extended sentence of 43 months to be served on license after his release. The sheriff also ordered that Giff be placed on the sex offenders’ register, although no specific time limit was set for this requirement. Additionally, Giff was warned that any breach of his license conditions could result in his immediate return to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Throughout the proceedings, Giff appeared bewildered and refused to cooperate with court officers when handcuffs were to be applied, protesting with a simple “Naw, naw.” His struggle in the dock required additional guards to intervene and escort him away, during which he continued to mutter and sob, clearly distressed by the outcome.

This case highlights the disturbing pattern of Giff’s predatory behavior and his blatant disregard for legal processes and community safety. His actions have left a lasting impact on his victims and serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community awareness in preventing such crimes from recurring in Greenock and beyond.