JAMES HARKINS, LOCHGILPHEAD PAEDOPHILE, SENTENCED FOR ABUSING CHILDREN IN LOCHGILPHEAD AND NEARBY AREAS

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Lochgilphead and surrounding areas, James Harkins, a man now aged 64, has been found guilty of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young children. The offences, which spanned nearly a decade from 1986 to 1995, involved multiple victims and took place in various locations, including Harkins' residence in Newton Mearns and his workplace at Whitecraigs Golf Club, as well as during trips and in vehicles he drove.

Harkins, who was employed as a greenkeeper at the prestigious Whitecraigs Golf Club in the affluent suburb of Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, targeted a young boy during a series of predatory attacks. The victim, who was only eight years old at the time of the initial assault, was subjected to repeated abuse that continued until he was 13. The abuse began at a house in Newton Mearns where Harkins was living at the time, with the perpetrator coercing the young boy into keeping their encounters a secret by telling him it was to be their “secret.”

Prosecutor Gordon Lamont detailed how the abuse escalated over time, to the point where the victim began to perceive the acts as normal. The court heard that Harkins also assaulted the boy at Whitecraigs Golf Club, specifically in a hut and a bothy located on the premises. The young victim was further victimized during a fishing trip in Stewarton, Ayrshire, and inside a works’ lorry that Harkins drove, illustrating the extent and variety of the locations where these crimes occurred.

Throughout the proceedings, Harkins sat in the dock, visibly shaking his head as the details of the abuse were read out. The victim, who did not disclose the abuse at the time, felt he had no one to turn to and believed he would not be believed if he spoke out. It was only in 2012 that he contacted police in England, but he was left without any response. It was not until 2016 that he approached Scottish authorities, prompting a renewed investigation.

This investigation uncovered additional victims, including a girl aged between seven and ten at the time of her abuse. She had previously reported being assaulted by Harkins, which led to his initial imprisonment in 1996. During the recent inquiry, she disclosed further incidents, including an attack at another house in Newton Mearns while she was asleep, and an attempted rape where she cried out for Harkins to stop. Harkins allegedly told her that no one would believe her and that she would be taken away from her family.

Harkins was detained by police in September 2016 at his home in Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute. During questioning, he admitted to experiencing “urges” at the time of the abuse. He subsequently pled guilty to multiple charges, including lewd and libidinous behavior and attempted rape. His defense lawyer, Lewis Kennedy, acknowledged the seriousness of the charges and stated that Harkins was aware of the gravity of his situation.

Judge Lord Mulholland, presiding over the case, described the crimes as “very serious matters” and remanded Harkins in custody pending sentencing. The court scheduled his sentencing for February 14 in Edinburgh, where he will learn the full extent of his punishment for these appalling acts.