STEPHEN MCNALLY FROM CONNEL AND OBAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS IN ARGYLL

In October 1994, a disturbing case unfolded involving Stephen McNally, a 44-year-old man from the villages of Connel and Oban in Argyll, who was convicted of multiple sexual offenses against young girls. McNally, who was employed as a driver for Strathclyde Regional Council's social work department, was found guilty of indecently assaulting four girls, including a 12-year-old, and was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison.

During the court proceedings, McNally sat silently in the dock, showing no visible emotion as the jury delivered its verdict. Lord MacLean, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of the crimes, particularly highlighting the charge involving the 12-year-old girl. He informed McNally that he was being sentenced to the maximum term permissible for that offense.

The court revealed that McNally had cared for a total of 27 children through foster arrangements at his homes in Oban and Connel. The charges, however, extended beyond those in his care, involving other girls who were not under his foster supervision. Lord MacLean pointed out that the most serious offense involved the 12-year-old girl because she had been placed in his care as a foster child and had trusted him, as had society at large.

The allegations came to light after a 22-year-old woman reported to Lochgilphead police station that she had been abused by McNally a decade earlier. She recounted that the abuse occurred while he was babysitting in her home in Oban. She expressed her ongoing distress, stating that she could not sleep at night out of fear that other children in McNally’s care might have been similarly abused.

Initially, McNally faced additional charges of raping the 12-year-old girl, who had confided in her foster mother about the abuse. However, due to the absence of medical evidence supporting the allegations, the Crown prosecutor decided to drop those charges. The girl described how McNally had repeatedly assaulted her during the night, and it was noted that he had applied to foster her before the allegations surfaced, although the application was never approved.

McNally’s wife, Mrs. Trudy McNally, aged 42, was visibly distressed as she was helped from the court. She is known for her involvement with ChildLine, the children’s hearing system, and is a registered child minder. Earlier in the proceedings, she described her life as having become a “horror situation” following the accusations against her husband.

Further disturbing evidence revealed that McNally had also been convicted of indecently assaulting a girl when she was just five years old. The court also heard about an incident involving a 14-year-old girl who managed to escape McNally’s advances after he kissed her during a mock fight he had initiated. When questioned about why multiple girls had made allegations against him, McNally claimed ignorance and accused them of lying.

It was also noted that McNally had undergone vetting by the Strathclyde Regional Council’s social work department before being entrusted with children. A senior social worker commented that, unless an applicant had a criminal record, it was nearly impossible to detect potential abusers during the vetting process.

Defense lawyer Graham Robertson acknowledged the gravity of the situation, telling Lord MacLean that there was little he could say in McNally’s defense, other than to note that his life was now in ruins. Ultimately, McNally was convicted on five charges involving four different girls, including two charges related to the 12-year-old victim, and was sentenced to three years in prison for his crimes.