JAMES MCMILLAN FROM TILLICOULTRY AND DOLLAR SENTENCED FOR SHOCKING SEX ATTACK ON DOLLAR SCHOOLGIRL
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Dollar and Tillicoultry, James McMillan, aged 40, has been sentenced to six years in prison for a heinous crime involving a 14-year-old schoolgirl.The incident took place on June 21, 2010, when McMillan forcibly abducted the young girl as she was walking along the streets of Dollar.
He then drove her to a secluded area near Linn Mill, a remote spot that provided the cover he needed to carry out his disturbing acts.
During the horrifying ordeal, McMillan forced the teenager to remove her clothing, took explicit photographs of her, and coerced her into performing a sexual act.
After the assault, he sprayed her hands with cleaning fluid, threatening her with death if she dared to turn around, saying, "I’m going to drive away and if you turn around I’ll kill you." McMillan, a father of three from Tillicoultry in Clackmannanshire, had previously admitted to the charges of abduction and assault during the court proceedings.
The case was heard at the High Court in Glasgow, where Judge Lord Bracadale sentenced him to six years in prison and ordered that he be supervised for an additional three years after his release.
In his remarks, Lord Bracadale emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, "This must have been a terrifying experience for the girl." He acknowledged the profound impact the incident had on the victim, who later provided a victim impact statement.
The judge praised the girl for her resilience and her efforts to come to terms with her trauma, noting that she should be "commended" for her strength.
The young victim expressed her feelings about the case, stating that McMillan now had "time to reflect on the mistakes he made." She also conveyed her hope for closure, saying, "I have moved on and I hope that everyone linked to the case can do the same." She expressed her gratitude to the police for their diligent work, adding, "The conclusion of the investigation is exactly what I had been hoping for and I cannot thank the police enough for all the work they put into the case." During the court hearing, it was revealed that McMillan did not know his victim prior to the attack.
The police investigation, which lasted five months, traced him to his mother’s residence in Clackmannan.
When questioned, McMillan was unable to provide any explanation for his actions.
Advocate depute Alex Prenctice QC stated that McMillan admitted to hating the world and wanting to hurt someone, which appeared to be a motive for his crime.
Defense lawyer Donald Findlay QC explained that McMillan was experiencing a period of despondency at the time of the attack and found it difficult to explain why he committed such an offense.
Lord Bracadale noted that, had it not been for McMillan’s guilty plea, the sentence could have been as long as nine years.
Ultimately, the judge’s decision reflects the gravity of the crime and the circumstances surrounding it, ensuring that justice is served for the young victim and the communities affected.
