TILLICOULTRY MAN MATTHEW FAGAN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN CLACKMANNANSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the community of Tillicoultry, an 83-year-old man named Matthew Fagan has been sentenced to five years in prison following his conviction for multiple serious sexual offences involving young girls. The sentencing took place after a lengthy trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, where the court heard disturbing details of Fagan's actions over several years.

Matthew Fagan, a former miner and a well-known figure in Tillicoultry, faced charges related to the sexual abuse of two young girls. Despite his age, a judge rejected a plea to avoid imprisonment on the grounds of his advanced years, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The court's decision underscores the importance of justice regardless of age, especially in cases involving vulnerable victims.

Fagan had initially denied committing any of the alleged offences, which reportedly took place at various residences within Tillicoultry, a town in Clackmannanshire. However, the evidence presented during the trial painted a different picture. The court found him guilty of a series of indecency offences against the two girls, though he was acquitted of attempted rape of one victim and of abusing a third girl, with the jury returning not proven verdicts on those counts.

The court heard that Fagan's abuse spanned over a decade. He was convicted of abusing one primary school-aged girl more than 15 years ago, during which he engaged in sexual acts with her. Additionally, he was found guilty of indecent behaviour towards another girl between 1999 and 2003, starting when she was just three years old. The victim testified that Fagan had taken her hand and placed it on himself, contradicting Fagan's claim that he had never touched her.

The judge described the offences as constituting “a serious catalogue of sexual abuse,” highlighting the gravity of Fagan’s actions and the impact on his victims. The verdict and subsequent sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and holding offenders accountable, regardless of their age or social standing. The community of Tillicoultry and the wider Clackmannanshire area are left to grapple with the aftermath of this disturbing case, which has brought to light the dark secrets hidden behind a seemingly ordinary life.