FIFE MAN FACES HEFTY PRISON FOR REPEATED YOUNG GIRL ABUSE

A sheriff has expressed his horror upon discovering that John Kelly McGarva, a man aged 71 from Kinglassie, was found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences involving young girls. McGarva was convicted of lewd, indecent, and libidinous acts committed against a nine-year-old girl between September and December 1997 at Flowers of May Cottage. Additionally, he was found guilty of causing sexual activities involving girls aged between six and seven years on various occasions between December 2014 and July 2015, at Flowers of May, Kinglassie, and East Brackley Lodge, Kinross — all while he was on bail. The court was told that McGarva had previously been convicted of similar offences in 1999 and 2015, with the latter conviction resulting in a community payback order. Despite these past convictions and current bail, he committed further offences, including sexual assault while on bail. The sheriff described his behaviour as 'monstrous' and expressed that he was appalled that a bail order had not prevented McGarva from offending again. Sheriff's Alastair Brown indicated the possibility of a substantial prison sentence after considering reports and deferred sentencing until October 13, stating that an extended custodial sentence was 'a very live option.' The sheriff concluded that a 'substantial' jail term was likely for McGarva's offenses, and he was remanded in custody. The court found that anyone who watched or heard the victim's interview would be horrified, highlighting the severity of the crimes.