JOHN GRAY FROM DALMUIR FACES SENTENCING AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN DALMUIR AND DUNSWIN AVENUE

In April 2017, a serious incident involving John Gray, a resident of Dalmuir, came to light, drawing significant attention from local authorities and the community. Gray was implicated in a disturbing series of events that took place on May 29 of the previous year, involving two teenage girls in the Dalmuir area.

According to court records, Gray was found guilty of multiple charges related to these incidents. The first involved him sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Dunswin Avenue, a well-known street in Dalmuir. The assault was not only physical but also included aggressive and intimidating behavior directed at another girl, who was also a minor, in the nearby Dalmuir Square. These events shocked the local community and prompted a police investigation that culminated in Gray’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

Gray appeared before Dumbarton Sheriff Court on April 13 for sentencing after a trial that established his guilt on four separate charges, all linked to the same incident on that day in May. The charges included sexual assault, making sexual comments, resisting police, and acts of violence and misconduct towards the two girls. During the trial, Gray’s behavior further deteriorated when he approached and spoke to the victim of his assault within the court complex, an act that was widely regarded as highly inappropriate and disrespectful.

The court heard that Gray had previously been convicted of uttering sexual comments towards one of the girls in Dalmuir Square. Additionally, he was found to have struggled with police officers, shouting, swearing, and acting aggressively. He also touched one of the girls on her breast and spat on her body in Dunswin Avenue, actions that compounded the severity of his offenses.

During the proceedings, Gray’s solicitor, Douglas Thomson, provided a social work report that offered insight into Gray’s mental state. The report suggested that Gray, aged 38 at the time, did not fully comprehend the gravity of his actions or the court proceedings. Mr. Thomson remarked that Gray did not seem to grasp what had transpired during the trial, indicating a lack of insight into his behavior and the consequences thereof. This lack of understanding was a significant factor in considering the appropriate sentence.

Mr. Thomson emphasized that custody might be necessary but also proposed alternative measures such as supervision, unpaid work, or a restriction of liberty order. However, he revealed that Gray had changed his address from Dunswin Court to Dumbarton Road without informing either his solicitor or the court, offering no explanation for this move. The solicitor described some of Gray’s comments during the trial as “frankly bizarre” and acknowledged that Gray would likely require ongoing monitoring for some time.

One of the most concerning aspects discussed was Gray’s approach to the victim within the court complex on the day of the trial. Mr. Thomson described it as a “brief comment” made to the witness during her testimony, which he characterized as an extremely foolish act. He stated that Gray acted without his knowledge and should have simply ignored the victim, instead of engaging with her, and must now face the consequences of his actions.

Sheriff Simon Pender agreed to adjourn the case until April 21 to allow for an assessment at Gray’s mother’s residence on Dumbarton Road. The purpose of this assessment was to determine whether the property could support monitoring equipment as part of a restriction of liberty order. Gray’s bail was continued, and the court proceedings remain ongoing as authorities consider the appropriate sentence for his actions.