KEIRON MCDOWALL SENTENCED IN DUMBARTON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL

The parents of a young girl who endured a disturbing sexual assault carried out by a 16-year-old boy have expressed their outrage and disappointment over the leniency of his sentencing. Keiron McDowall, the individual responsible for the heinous act, appeared before Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Thursday, where he was sentenced to a three-year probation period. Additionally, he was fitted with an electronic monitoring tag for four months and was registered on the sex offenders register for a duration of five years.

McDowall had previously pleaded guilty during a court hearing to engaging in lewd and libidinous conduct towards the seven-year-old victim. The details of the assault are extremely graphic and are considered too sensitive to be published in a family-oriented newspaper. Despite the gravity of the crime, the court opted for a probation order rather than a custodial sentence, a decision that has left the victim’s family feeling devastated and betrayed.

The young girl’s mother, who has chosen to remain anonymous to protect her child's identity, voiced her fury at the court’s decision. She told the Post: “I was raging when I heard the sentence because the last time I was in court, someone received eight months for possessing a bag of heroin, and yet this boy walks free. It’s not justice; it’s utterly ludicrous.”

She further described the lasting impact on her daughter, stating: “Our daughter is now terrified of men. Even if her uncle tries to give her a cuddle or show affection, she becomes absolutely frightened and pulls away. I was in complete shock when I found out what had happened, and it sickens me that someone could do such a thing to a little girl. I genuinely wanted him to be jailed because three years on probation is no real punishment. He is still out in the community, and there’s a real risk he could offend again and harm another innocent child.”

The father of the young victim also shared his distress, revealing how the incident, which took place at McDowall’s then residence in Mountblow on August 2, has profoundly affected their family life. He said: “Our girl is okay around other children, but whenever an adult man approaches her, she becomes very frightened. I am trying to stay strong for my wife and daughter, but I was close to tears when I heard the sentence. It’s heartbreaking to see her like this, and I just want justice for what happened.”