MALCOLM LEASK'S BRUTAL CRIMES IN STROMNESS AND ORKNEY: AN UNIMAGINABLE TOLL OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE

Malcolm J Leask, born on 17 September 1987 and hailing from the town of Stromness in the Orkney Islands, has been convicted of a series of heinous crimes spanning over a decade. His criminal activities include a disturbing pattern of violence and cruelty directed not only at humans but also at animals, revealing a deeply troubling history of abuse.

Leask's offenses encompass a wide range of violent acts, including multiple assaults, sexual offenses, and acts of extreme cruelty. His criminal record features six counts of rape, six of assault, one attempted murder, and additional charges of threatening or abusive behavior, as well as a breach of the peace. These crimes were committed at various addresses within the Orkney Islands and in Clackmannanshire, with incidents dating from 2008 through 2019.

Among the most disturbing aspects of Leask's criminal history is his brutal treatment of animals. He inflicted suffering on two pet dogs and a puppy, subjecting them to kicking, punching, choking, and other forms of violence. One of his victims was a family Labrador, which he repeatedly assaulted by punching and kicking its head and body, kneeling on its stomach, and deliberately blowing smoke into its face. He also placed his hands around the dog’s throat, choking it in a clear act of cruelty.

Leask's violence extended to other animals as well. He kicked a border collie in the head and side, causing a broken rib, and attempted to suffocate the dog by placing a black bin bag over its head. On another occasion, he lifted a frightened and yelping border collie by its armpits and threw it onto the floor, resulting in permanent damage to the dog’s back legs. Additionally, he attacked an eight-month-old German Shepherd puppy, punching it on the head and ribs and stamping on its head. The owner of the puppy recounted that she once found Leask strangling the animal, justifying his actions by claiming the puppy “had been bad and needed to be punished.”

There was also an allegation that Leask battered two terrapins to death with a hammer; however, this charge was ultimately withdrawn by the prosecution.

Leask, who was nicknamed “Beefy” due to his previous weight of 31 stone, also committed serious sexual offenses. He raped two women and attempted to murder one of his victims by holding her head underwater. During the assaults, he used his considerable size to pin down one of the women, making the attack even more terrifying and violent.

One of the women testified that she was repeatedly raped by Leask and subjected to physical violence, including punches, knee strikes, and choking. She also recounted how he lifted her toddler daughter and threw her onto a chair in a display of violent aggression. A second woman described her ordeal as “pure nastiness,” recounting how Leask shouted and swore at her young daughter and chased her son, creating a terrifying environment for the children involved.

Leask, who is now married, denied all 19 charges brought against him. Nevertheless, following a trial, he was found guilty of the numerous offenses. His defense counsel, Gordon Jackson KC, highlighted that Leask had no prior convictions and suggested that he had suffered traumatic experiences earlier in his life, which may have contributed to his behavior.

In sentencing, Judge Lord Scott emphasized the severity of Leask’s conduct, describing his actions as a “serious, violent and abusive course of conduct.” The judge also noted that Leask appeared unrepentant and lacked insight into the extensive harm he had caused. As a result, Leask was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with an additional eight years of supervision following his release. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

This case has garnered significant attention across local and national media outlets, including the Alloa Advertiser, BBC News, and the Daily Record, highlighting the gravity of Leask’s crimes and the community’s response to such disturbing acts of violence and cruelty.