JOHN SHORT FROM GLASGOW AND MILNGAVIE SENTENCED FOR ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRLS OVER 17 YEARS

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Glasgow and Milngavie, John Short, a man with ties to both locations, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh for a series of heinous crimes committed over a span of 17 years. The court heard harrowing details of his abuse involving three young girls, with the full extent of his misconduct spanning nearly two decades.

John Short, aged 57 and residing in Glasgow’s Cowcaddens area, was convicted of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of minors. The court was informed that he had groomed and exploited his victims over a lengthy period, with one of the girls, who was only 12 years old at the time, being raped after a prolonged period of manipulation and grooming. The severity of his crimes was underscored by the fact that he had also exposed himself to a nine-year-old girl and assaulted an eight-year-old girl in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, during the late 1990s.

Lord Armstrong, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of the offenses, stating that the only appropriate sentence was imprisonment. He remarked, “Society regards crimes of this nature to be abhorrent and it is the duty of the court to uphold that view.” Despite the conviction, Short maintained his innocence, claiming in court that he believed he was the victim of a vendetta. He suggested that some external force or individual was responsible for the harm inflicted on the girls, attempting to create a “smoke screen” to divert blame.

Prosecutor Jane Farquharson described Short’s attempts to deflect responsibility, highlighting his efforts to deny the allegations. Defense lawyer Murray Macara QC argued that his client still insisted he had not committed the abuse, pointing out that Short had only one previous conviction for embezzlement and had otherwise been of good character. Macara also noted that Short’s family continued to support him despite the allegations.

During court proceedings, social workers appointed to interview Short reported that he exhibited a ‘hostile’ attitude towards the young women involved. The judge, Lord Armstrong, also noted that Short had been placed on the sex offenders register and had caused “incalculable damage” to at least one of his victims. The case has left a lasting impact on the communities of Glasgow and Milngavie, highlighting the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from such predatory behavior.