JAMES MCARDLE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN HAMILTON

James McArdle, a 64-year-old man with a long-standing connection to Hamilton, has been convicted and sentenced for a serious sexual assault and attempted rape of an elderly woman. McArdle, who had been employed as a window cleaner in Lanarkshire, targeted a vulnerable pensioner who had been his client for approximately two decades. The incident took place in January 2022, during a routine visit to the woman's home in Hamilton to perform his usual cleaning duties.

According to reports, McArdle's assault on the elderly woman was both brutal and distressing. The victim, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, was unable to effectively resist due to her frail condition. Despite her efforts to defend herself, including hitting McArdle with her slipper multiple times, he persisted in his attempt to commit a sexual assault and attempted to rape her. The attack was partially captured on internal security camera footage, which had been installed by a family member to monitor her safety and well-being.

Following the assault, McArdle took a piece of chocolate and fled the scene, leaving the victim traumatized and injured. Her family member, upon reviewing the security footage, was horrified by the cruelty of the incident and was deeply disturbed by what he saw. The footage was handed over to the police, leading to McArdle’s subsequent arrest. During police questioning, McArdle attempted to justify his actions by claiming he had been ‘having a laugh’ with the woman, a statement that did little to mitigate his culpability.

In court, Lady Stacey presided over the case at the High Court in Glasgow. McArdle was found guilty of sexual assault and attempted rape. As part of his sentence, he was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the need for ongoing monitoring to protect the public.