KENNETH MCKENNA FROM BANNOCKBURN SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN EDINBURGH

In a case that has shocked the local community and brought to light the dark history of abuse, Kenneth McKenna, a man residing in Bannockburn, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of a series of heinous crimes committed against young girls during the 1980s and 1990s.

McKenna, now aged 57, was convicted by a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of two young girls, aged 11 and 12 at the time of the offenses. The court heard that McKenna had subjected these victims to a series of sexual assaults, which included indecency, indecent assault, attempted rape, and rape. The jury's verdict was unanimous, reflecting the strength of the evidence presented against him.

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that McKenna had employed threats and intimidation tactics to silence his victims and prevent them from revealing the abuse. These tactics added a layer of psychological torment to the physical crimes, making the case even more disturbing. Despite the severity of the allegations, McKenna was acquitted of a separate charge of rape involving a third girl, which indicates that the evidence in that particular case was insufficient for a conviction.

One of the victims, who chose to speak during the trial, shared her emotional journey of coming to terms with the abuse. She explained that she had never confronted McKenna directly during the years of her suffering but eventually decided to report the crimes to the police. Her words reflected the long-lasting impact of the abuse, stating, “It’s like 30 odd years and I kind of buried it in a closet way, way back.”

During sentencing, defence solicitor advocate George Pollock acknowledged the seriousness of the crimes, stating, “Clearly the offences are serious and there is nothing I can say to mitigate the offences.” The judge, Lord Glennie, responded with a stern warning about the nature of the crimes. He described the series of sexual assaults as “abhorrent” and emphasized that McKenna’s threats to his victims compounded the severity of his actions.

Lord Glennie concluded that, given the gravity of the offenses, there was no realistic alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. As a result, Kenneth McKenna was sentenced to 12 years in prison and was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct after his release. The case has left a lasting scar on the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of justice and safeguarding vulnerable individuals from predatory offenders.