MICHAEL MCBRIDE FROM WHITECROOK SENTENCED IN GLASGOW FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In April of the previous year, a disturbing incident unfolded on John Knox Street in Clydebank involving a 16-year-old boy named Michael McBride, who was later convicted of a serious sexual assault against a 12-year-old girl. The events took place in the Whitecrock area, where McBride and the young girl, along with two other teenagers, had been consuming alcohol and smoking cannabis during the afternoon.

According to court records, McBride, who was only 15 at the time of the offence, engaged in a series of reckless behaviors that culminated in the assault. The incident was witnessed by a woman residing nearby, who observed a boy dressed in a grey tracksuit lying on top of the young girl from her flat window on John Knox Street. She promptly contacted the police, alerting authorities to the disturbing scene.

McBride, of North Elgin Street, did not deny being the individual seen in the incident. However, he vehemently denied the allegations of assault and attempted to justify his actions by claiming he was trying to help the girl, who he said had become unwell after drinking alcohol. During the trial at the High Court in Glasgow, which took place in May, McBride maintained his innocence and suggested that the witness who called the police might have been mistaken. He also accused his friends of lying to protect themselves and the girl from trouble.

Despite his denial of rape, the jury—comprising 13 men and one woman—found McBride guilty of a lesser charge, specifically assault with intent to rape, by a majority verdict. The court proceedings revealed that McBride had spent the afternoon in the company of the girl and two other teenagers in and around Whitecrook Park, engaging in drinking and smoking.

Following his conviction, McBride appeared before the court once more to hear his sentencing. His legal representative, Lorraine Glancy, pleaded for leniency, arguing that her client was considered a low risk for reoffending and was suitable for a community-based disposal rather than custody. She emphasized that McBride's age and circumstances warranted a more lenient approach.

However, the presiding judge, Lord Kinclaven, was firm in his decision. He stated that McBride had committed a serious offence and that there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. The judge underscored the gravity of the crime, noting, "The fact remains you have been convicted of a sexual assault against a young child." He further explained that McBride's young age could be a factor in determining the length of his imprisonment, but the need for punishment was paramount.

Ultimately, McBride was sentenced to 18 months in prison, marking a significant and serious response to the crime committed in Whitecrock, Clydebank. The case highlights the dangers of underage drinking and drug use, as well as the importance of justice in cases involving vulnerable minors.