JOHN GREIG OF AUCHINLECK SENTENCED FOR MULTIPLE SEX OFFENCES IN AYRSHIRE AND GLASGOW

In a case that has spanned over two decades, John Greig, a 51-year-old man from Auchinleck, Ayrshire, was formally convicted of a series of serious sexual offenses during a high-profile trial at the High Court in Glasgow. The court heard that Greig was responsible for the sexual abuse and rape of multiple victims, including a young girl and an adult woman, with the crimes dating back to the early 1980s and continuing into the early 2000s.

Greig was found guilty of raping a young girl when she was between the ages of 9 and 11. The court also convicted him of sexually abusing her and attempting to rape another girl aged between 9 and 12. These offenses took place over a span of years, highlighting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. Additionally, Greig was convicted of raping a woman over a period of nine years, during which she was aged between 28 and 37. The crimes occurred in Ayrshire, with the earliest incidents believed to have taken place in 1983 and the latest in 2003.

The judge, Lord Matthews, addressed Greig directly during the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses. He stated, "You recognize that the jury has convicted you of very serious offences. You sexually abused two young girls and on one occasion raped one of them. You also raped a woman. The public expects these matters to be dealt with in a severe manner." The judge underscored the importance of a stern response to such heinous acts, reflecting the community's outrage and the need for justice.

Throughout the proceedings, Greig, who works as a mechanic, maintained his innocence. His defense counsel, Susan Duff, told the court that Greig still believed he was not guilty. However, she acknowledged that he had to accept the jury’s verdict, which found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

The case also revealed that the young girl, who was victimized between the ages of 9 and 11, did not initially report the abuse. It was only in 2015 that she came forward and provided a statement to the police, leading to Greig’s eventual conviction. During the trial, Greig dismissed the allegations, claiming that the sex with the woman was consensual and that all three women involved were fabricating their stories. He argued that the victim's accusations were motivated by personal grievances, specifically citing her alleged frustration over not being allowed to drive his Subaru Impreza.

In his own words, Greig described the situation as follows: "She’s a bit of a poser and wanted to pose in it. She asked to get it and I said no and I’m here in the High Court. I just can’t believe they are doing this to me. I feel embarrassed and degraded. It is as if they are trying to destroy me." His claims of innocence were met with skepticism by the court, which found the evidence against him compelling.

Following the verdict, Lord Matthews ordered Greig to be placed on the sex offenders’ register and remanded him into custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for the following year. The judge also called for comprehensive background reports to be prepared before final sentencing, emphasizing the seriousness of the crimes committed in Ayrshire and Glasgow over the course of two decades. Greig showed no visible emotion as he was led away to the cells, marking the conclusion of a lengthy and disturbing case that has shocked the local community and brought long-overdue justice for the victims involved.