JOSEPH MILLBANK FROM LUNCARTY SENT TO PRISON IN FRANCE AND SCOTLAND FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the community of Luncarty and the wider region of Perthshire, Joseph Millbank, aged 48, has been sentenced to a total of 32 months in prison following a series of serious criminal offenses involving child abuse. The incident began when Millbank, a known sex offender, was released early from a ten-year imprisonment term in May of the previous year. Despite the legal requirement to inform authorities of any change of residence, he failed to do so, which ultimately led to his flight from Scotland to France.

After his early release, Millbank did not adhere to the mandated notification procedures. Instead, he disappeared and was subsequently placed on a Most Wanted list by a child protection organization, marking him as one of Scotland’s most wanted offenders. His whereabouts remained unknown until he was traced to the glamorous resort town of St Tropez in the South of France. In August, authorities managed to arrest him there and he was extradited back to Scotland to face justice.

Following his return, Millbank appeared before Perth Sheriff Court, where he admitted to the offence of failing to notify a change of address in July of the previous year. Sheriff Margaret Gimblett, recognizing the gravity of his breach of legal obligations, referred his case to the High Court for sentencing, emphasizing that an “exemplary sentence” was necessary given the circumstances.

During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Lord Brailsford highlighted the seriousness of Millbank’s actions. He pointed out that the circumstances surrounding the breach indicated a deliberate and wilful attempt to evade detection, especially considering Millbank’s knowledge of the notification requirements. The judge also noted that Millbank’s flight to France demonstrated a calculated effort to avoid detention, which compounded the severity of his misconduct.

While the judge initially considered a four-year custodial sentence, the guilty plea led to a reduction, resulting in a sentence of 32 months. This sentence is to run concurrently with the remaining period of his previous ten-year sentence, which was originally handed down in 2002 for a series of child abuse crimes.

Joseph Millbank, who was formerly residing in Luncarty, Perthshire, is currently held at Peterhead Prison, a facility known for housing some of the country’s most serious sex offenders. His criminal history is extensive; he was initially sentenced to six years in 2002 after being convicted of abusing young girls and taking indecent photographs of eleven children across Dundee and Aberdeen. Following a Crown appeal, his sentence was increased to ten years.

Earlier in 2002, Millbank’s criminal activities came to light when he was convicted of multiple child abuse offences involving young girls over a period of more than a decade. The court heard that he traveled extensively across Scotland, working as a shopfitter, which allowed him to prey on vulnerable victims in various locations. Police investigations uncovered evidence involving 35 girls, although authorities believe there may be additional victims who have yet to be identified.

The police’s efforts to apprehend Millbank culminated when fingerprints found at a crime scene in Inverness were matched to his identity. The investigation, which spanned five police force areas, was among the largest and most comprehensive paedophile inquiries ever conducted in Scotland. The case drew widespread condemnation from the public and victims’ families, who felt the sentences handed down were insufficient given the heinous nature of his crimes.

During the sentencing, Lord McCluskey emphasized the long-lasting harm caused by Millbank’s actions. He described his conduct as “disgusting, perverted, and deliberate,” and underscored the importance of society’s outrage at such persistent and wicked behavior. The judge highlighted the profound and often irreversible impact that child abuse inflicts on victims, including feelings of guilt and betrayal that can persist long after the abuse has ended.

In conclusion, Joseph Millbank’s case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and strict enforcement of laws designed to protect children from predators. His imprisonment in both France and Scotland reflects the serious consequences of attempting to evade justice and the ongoing commitment of authorities to pursue and prosecute offenders who threaten the safety and well-being of children.