THOMAS MCARTHUR: PAISLEY SEX OFFENDER INVOLVED IN GANG RAPE AND REPEATED OFFENSES IN JOHNSTONE

In March 2017, Thomas McArthur, a notorious sex offender with a long and disturbing history of sexual violence, appeared once again in court, this time at Paisley Sheriff Court, charged with breaching the strict conditions of his release under the Sex Offenders’ Act. The 58-year-old, originally from Ferguslie Park and now residing in Johnstone, looked frail and weathered, battling prostate cancer, as he faced the charges.

McArthur’s criminal record is extensive, with roots stretching back to the early 1980s. His most infamous crimes include the brutal gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in Paisley, where he was part of a group of six individuals—comprising four men and two women—who kidnapped, assaulted, and sexually assaulted the young woman at a residence in Paisley. For this heinous act, McArthur received a four-year prison sentence at the High Court in Glasgow. His co-accused collectively received a total of 20 years in prison for their roles in the attack.

Further compounding his criminal history, in 2001, McArthur committed another grave offense by attacking a 15-year-old girl while she was sleeping. He forcibly raped her, an act that left the teenager traumatized and forced to relive her ordeal during a trial at the High Court in Paisley in 2003. The court found him guilty, and he was subsequently sentenced to an additional 10 years behind bars. The victim, now 17, recounted her harrowing experience, describing how she was intoxicated and unaware of the assault until she was awakened by a friend who entered the room and discovered her in distress.

Following his release from prison, McArthur was required to adhere to the conditions set forth by the Sex Offenders’ Act, which included notifying authorities of any changes in his personal circumstances, such as bank account details, within three days. However, during a police visit to his home on December 14, 2016, officers discovered that McArthur had failed to comply with this requirement. He had presented a new RBS debit card, dated from July 2016, but claimed he was unaware that he needed to notify the authorities about this change. The police reminded him of his legal obligations, and he admitted he had not registered the new bank details.

His defense attorney, Kirsty McGeehan, acknowledged that McArthur, who had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, understood he should have been more vigilant about his legal responsibilities. She emphasized that he accepted responsibility early by pleading guilty to the breach. Nonetheless, the court was reminded of the seriousness of such violations, as failure to comply with notification requirements can often lead to imprisonment.

Judge Tom McCartney addressed McArthur directly, underscoring the importance of adhering to notification rules and warning that such breaches are considered serious offenses that could result in jail time. Due to his early guilty plea, the judge decided to impose a fine of £400, reduced from the original £600, as a recognition of his acceptance of guilt.

In a related case from June 2003, McArthur was sentenced to ten years in prison for the rape of a 15-year-old girl. The court heard that he attacked the girl while his wife was on holiday in Spain. After a night out, McArthur went to a house where teenagers had gathered for a drinks party. The victim, heavily intoxicated, was helped to bed after vomiting, and McArthur subsequently fell asleep on a couch. The girl later awoke to find him on top of her, engaging in sexual intercourse and touching her all over her body. She described her shock and fear, stating she was too drunk to resist and was left feeling sore and frightened.

McArthur denied any involvement in the assault during police interviews, claiming he was not in bed with the girl and had not engaged in any sexual activity. However, forensic evidence, including DNA swabs, confirmed his presence and involvement. The court found his denial unconvincing and convicted him of the crime. Lord McEwan, presiding over the case, condemned his actions as “scandalous and disgraceful,” emphasizing that the victim was a vulnerable, intoxicated girl who was only 15 and a virgin. The judge sentenced him to ten years in prison, noting that the severity of his crime and his prior conviction warranted such a sentence. McArthur showed no visible emotion as he was led away, fully aware of the gravity of his offenses and the consequences he faced.

Throughout his criminal history, Thomas McArthur has demonstrated a pattern of predatory and violent sexual offenses, with his latest court appearance highlighting the ongoing challenges of managing and monitoring convicted sex offenders in the community.