THOMAS MCGRATH SHILLINGTON SEX OFFENDER: EX-RAF SQUADRON LEADER JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN SHILLINGTON

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the quiet village of Shillington, Thomas McGrath, a former RAF Squadron Leader, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison on Tuesday, 28 May 2013, after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage boys. The assaults occurred at his residence on Hanscombe End Road, where he lived alone, and involved victims who had been taken to his home after social outings at the local pub, the Musgrave Arms.

The first incident involved a 15-year-old boy, now aged 21, who had been befriended by McGrath, a respected figure in the community due to his military background. The victim recounted that after celebrating New Year’s at the Musgrave Arms, he and another man returned with McGrath to his house. McGrath, who was then a Squadron Leader in the RAF, offered the boy whisky, claiming it would help with a cough. The boy, who had been drinking, went to sleep on top of the duvet in McGrath’s bedroom after the other man went to the spare room. At around 4 a.m., the boy awoke to find McGrath sexually assaulting him, leaving him feeling shocked and embarrassed.

Following the assault, McGrath attempted to maintain a friendly relationship with the boy, taking him on trips to London and purchasing a pair of leather trousers worth £70. The victim kept the incident to himself until Christmas Day 2011, when he confided in an ex-girlfriend. He later revealed that he had not reported the assault earlier because he felt shame and believed that doing so might have prevented a second incident involving a different teenage boy.

The second victim, a 16-year-old, had also spent the night at McGrath’s home after a visit to the Musgrave Arms on June 4, 2012, during the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. At approximately 3:30 a.m., McGrath woke the boy and sexually assaulted him by touching his penis and rubbing his legs. The teenager left the house in tears and contacted his brother, who came to pick him up. McGrath then sent a text message to the boy, asking, “Are you all right mate?”

The second victim reported the assault to the police, which prompted the first victim to come forward with his own account of the 2007 incident. McGrath, when questioned, initially denied any sexual activity, acknowledging only that boys had been in his house. He later admitted to police that he was aware of the boys’ presence but insisted nothing inappropriate had occurred.

Throughout the trial, McGrath, aged 40, maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to charges of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and sexual assault. However, the jury convicted him on both counts after deliberating for 90 minutes. The court heard that McGrath was a well-known figure in the community, involved in church activities, bell ringing, and the Young Farmers. His defense argued that he had been an upstanding member of society, but the judge, Michael Kay QC, emphasized the pattern of opportunistic behavior and breach of trust, noting that McGrath had used his social standing to ingratiate himself with young men.

Judge Kay sentenced McGrath to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. The order prohibits him from having young men in his home, visiting pubs, or contacting the victims. The case has highlighted concerns about grooming and exploitation within small communities, especially involving individuals with trusted social roles. McGrath’s fall from grace serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of abuse of authority and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable youth.