JAMES MCMURDO OF SANQUHAR SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Sanquhar near Dumfries, James McMurdo, a 63-year-old retired miner, was sentenced to nine years in prison after admitting to the heinous crime of raping a seven-year-old girl. The incident, which took place earlier this year, involved multiple assaults and a disturbing pattern of manipulation and threats.

According to the proceedings at the High Court in Glasgow, McMurdo, a widower, carried out the abuse on the young girl, who was not related to him, during her visits to his residence in Sanquhar. The court heard that the first act of abuse began when McMurdo showed the girl a pornographic video he was watching, an act that marked the start of a series of increasingly serious offenses. The advocate depute, Mr. Sean Murphy, detailed how the accused then escalated the situation to rape, at least three times, over the course of the month of January.

During the trial, it was revealed that McMurdo threatened the girl, warning her that if she disclosed what had happened, she would be placed in a children’s home. This intimidation was intended to silence her and prevent her from seeking help. The abuse continued until another young girl, who was also present, confided in an adult about what she had witnessed. Her disclosure prompted action that ultimately led to McMurdo’s arrest.

The turning point came when McMurdo’s own son arrived at the house and discovered his father abusing the young girl. Shocked and distressed, he immediately contacted the police, leading to McMurdo’s swift apprehension. The court was told that the offenses occurred over a period from January 1 to January 28 of this year, marking a brief but devastating chapter in the young girl’s life.

During the sentencing, defence advocate Mr. Lorenzo Alonzi emphasized that McMurdo had led a “blameless and stable life” prior to these crimes, suggesting that the offenses were out of character. However, the judge, Lord Cameron, was unequivocal in his remarks, stating, “You were caught by a member of your own family and that in itself must be a punishment.” The court’s decision reflects the gravity of the crimes committed and the breach of trust involved in abusing a child in such a heinous manner in the community of Sanquhar.