RICHARD MCCORMICK'S DECADES OF ABUSE IN FALKIRK AND TWECHAR REVEALED

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Richard McCormick, aged 69, was found guilty of a disturbing series of sexual offences committed against young girls in the Falkirk area. The trial uncovered a long history of abuse, beginning in 1975, with McCormick targeting children as young as three years old. His offending persisted until 2006, with incidents taking place at various locations including houses in Falkirk, Camelon, and Denny, as well as during car journeys.

Victims who came forward in 2006 provided police with details of their abuse, but efforts to locate McCormick at that time proved unsuccessful. It was only in 2014 that authorities obtained new information indicating that McCormick was on a flight returning to Britain. Subsequently, he was arrested at Heathrow Airport and brought into custody in Scotland.

McCormick, who resides in Twechar near Kilsyth, denied all charges during his trial. However, the court found him guilty of eight counts of indecency against five different girls. One of the victims recounted her experience, revealing that McCormick had visited her family home in Falkirk when she was a child. She described her feelings during the incident, stating: "On the outside everything was fine... while inside I was completely terrified and hated him."

Following the verdict, McCormick's defense lawyer, Lorraine Glancy, acknowledged the jury's decision and stated, "Standing the verdict of the jury, the only ultimate sentence can be a custodial one." The presiding judge, Lady Carmichael, deferred sentencing to allow for the preparation of a background report and ordered McCormick to be placed on the sex offenders register, emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes and the impact on his victims.