JAMES POLLARD, THE MONSTER FROM THURSO, SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR DECADES OF ABUSE IN SCOTLAND

A man named James Pollard, aged 71, who has been described as a 'monster' and a 'danger to children and young girls,' has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 15 years. His crimes, which spanned over forty years, involved a disturbing pattern of abuse targeting young girls in the northern region of Scotland, including the town of Thurso.

According to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Pollard's victims were all under the age of 16 when the abuse began, with the youngest victim being only two years old at the time. The heinous acts committed by Pollard included indecent assault and sexual abuse of his first victim, indecent assault on a second child, inappropriate communication of a sexual nature with a third victim, and sexual assault of a fourth girl. The fifth victim endured both physical assault and rape at the hands of Pollard, further highlighting the severity of his crimes.

During the trial at the High Court in Inverness, Judge Lord Summers described Pollard's conduct as 'sustained and persistent,' emphasizing the gravity of his actions. He specifically referenced the fifth victim, stating, 'Mercifully, your abuse was detected and stopped before it could blight her life.' One of the victims, in her testimony, referred to Pollard as a 'monster,' a term that Judge Lord Summers acknowledged as a fitting description after hearing her account and the testimonies of other witnesses. The judge remarked, 'That is a strong word but having listened to her evidence, and the evidence of the other witnesses, it is hard to disagree with that assessment. You are a predatory sexual offender who took advantage of girls and young women to satisfy your own deviant sexual ends.'

Pollard was found guilty of nine charges, which included the rape of a young child, sexual assault, assault, indecent behavior towards a girl aged between 12 and 16, communicating indecently, three counts of indecent assault, and lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices and behavior. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Pollard continues to deny any wrongdoing. Judge Lord Summers noted that his offending history stretches back over four decades and expressed concern that Pollard remains a significant risk to women and young girls for the foreseeable future.

The sentencing took place at the High Court in Aberdeen, where Lord Summers described the impact statements from the victims as 'difficult reading.' He acknowledged the devastating consequences Pollard's actions have had on those affected. The judge praised the courage and strength of the women who testified against him, stating, 'It is a testament to their bravery that justice has been served.' He expressed hope that these women will now be able to move forward with their lives, free from the shadow of Pollard's crimes, and that their experiences do not define them. The court's decision underscores the seriousness of Pollard's offenses and the community's commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals from such predatory behavior.