JAMES GRAHAMES FROM AIRDRIE CONVICTED OF HISTORIC SEXUAL ABUSE IN LIVINGSTON COURT

In October 2017, a harrowing case unfolded in the High Court in Livingston, revealing the disturbing history of James Grahames, a man from Airdrie, who was accused of sexually abusing a young girl over several years during her childhood. The victim, now in her 40s, bravely recounted the traumatic events that began when she was just four years old, with the abuse escalating over time and culminating on the day of her first Holy Communion.

She described how, on that significant day, she was dressed in her 'princess for a day' outfit to celebrate her religious milestone. After changing into casual clothes, she was subjected to a horrifying sexual assault by Grahames, who had been abusing her for years prior. The woman broke down in court as she relived the moment, revealing that Grahames made her perform a sex act, an incident that she kept secret for more than three decades before finally deciding to confront her abuser.

Grahames, aged 55 at the time, was charged with multiple counts of indecent and lewd practices at an address in Airdrie between 1979 and 1983, when the girl was between four and seven years old. Despite his denial of the allegations, claiming he could not remember any such acts and asserting his innocence, the jury swiftly reached a verdict after less than two hours of deliberation. They found Grahames guilty of all charges by a majority decision.

During the trial, the victim provided her testimony from behind a screen, describing how the abuse began with seemingly innocent games called “dungarees,” where she and Grahames would compete to see who could get their hands into each other's underwear faster when they were alone. She explained how these initial acts progressed into groping and eventually involved the showing of pornographic magazines and requests for her to perform sexual acts.

She recounted how the assaults occurred every time Grahames visited her parents’ home, which was a frequent occurrence during her childhood. Her parents, she said, were downstairs, unaware of the abuse happening upstairs. The emotional toll was evident as she described her ongoing struggle, including months of counseling, which ultimately gave her the strength to confront Grahames.

In May of the previous year, she drove to Grahames’ residence in Airdrie, despite her husband's pleas for her not to go. She explained her motivation as a desire to finally seek answers and confront her past. She recalled feeling nervous but determined, emphasizing her need to take control of her life and put her demons to rest. Upon arriving, she knocked on his door and, with her husband listening via a mobile phone placed on Grahames’ mantelpiece, she asked him why he had abused her. Grahames initially claimed he did not recognize her, but within moments, she made it clear who she was, and he did not deny the allegations.

During the exchange, Grahames responded to her questions with apparent remorse, saying, “I don’t know why,” when asked why he had abused her. The woman told the court that she then told her husband about the conversation, and Grahames responded with, “I must be a pervert then. I’m just a pervert.”

Grahames, when questioned by police, claimed he could not remember any abuse but expressed remorse if he had done anything wrong, stating, “If I have I’m sorry.” He insisted, “I haven’t touched her. If anything like that happened I’m sorry but I cannae remember a thing. I’ll take a lie detector test, no problem.” He further stated, “To me nothing like that happened. Nothing like that would ever happen. I know for a fact I wouldn’t do anything like that. I know for a fact because I’m not stupid.”

In his defense, Grahames’ lawyer highlighted that he had only one previous conviction for breach of the peace in 2001 and had never served time in prison before. The judge, Lord Burns, ordered social work background reports and remanded Grahames into custody until sentencing later that month. Additionally, Grahames’ name was to be added to the sex offenders’ register, and Scottish ministers were to be notified of his conviction under laws designed to protect vulnerable adults.

Following the verdict, the court heard how Grahames’ victim had been attending counseling for several months before she finally found the courage to confront her abuser. Her emotional testimony underscored the long-lasting impact of the abuse and her determination to seek justice. The case has cast a long shadow over the community of Airdrie, highlighting the importance of vigilance and support for victims of childhood sexual abuse.