A RAPIST branded ‘pure evil’ has been caged for just six years – five decades after he abused three girls when he was their babysitting schoolboy.
Ian Dunlop, now 61, was just 12 when he started preying on the youngsters in 1975 when they were aged between five and eight-years-old.
2
But when he finally faced justice at the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Douglas Brown admitted the sentence fell short.
Judge Brown remarked it was lower than what it may have been due to a number of factors including his age at the time he started a five-year-long abuse campaign.
Health issues and the fact he had not re-offended were also taken into account.
Blasting the soft touch sentence, Scottish Conservatives shadow minister for victims and community safety Sharon Dowey MSP said: “Having waited decades for justice, it is little wonder victims feel betrayed by this sentence.
“All too often brave victims are let down by the SNP’s justice system which lacks common sense and fails to prioritise their needs above those of criminals.”
Judge Brown earlier told Dunlop the first victim was abused so often “she lost count”.
He added: “It was so frequent that she came to regard it as normal. You kept telling her it was a secret.
“The lasting impact on her is obvious. She could barely bring herself to say your name in evidence and was in tears.
“She says that you wrecked her life.”
Dunlop had earlier been convicted of a total of six charges at an earlier trial.
He was found guilty of raping each victim as well as lewd and libidinous behaviour towards the youngsters between 1975 and 1980 in Ayrshire.
The hearing was told the second victim has also been left badly traumatised.
“She could barely bring herself to say your name in evidence and was in tears.”
Judge Brown: “The enduring impact on her again is obvious from her distress.
“She described you as ‘pure evil’ and has explained the devastating effect your behaviour has had on her stating it has changed her life forever.”
The court was told Dunlop had “destroyed” the life of the final rape survivor.
Dunlop, of Troon, Ayrshire, has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Non-harassment orders, banning Dunlop from contacting or attempting to contact any of the victims, were also granted for an indefinite period.
“She described you as ‘pure evil’ and has explained the devastating effect your behaviour has had on her stating it has changed her life forever.”
Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, Katrina Parkes said: “Ian Dunlop posed a danger to young girls over the course of several years and exploited his position of trust in the worst possible way.
“The trauma these victims suffered was at the forefront of our minds while working to secure this conviction.
“It is thanks to the bravery of those affected by Dunlop’s offending that he has been brought to justice. They should be commended for their bravery and courage.
“We would encourage anyone affected by similar offending to come forward – regardless of how much time has passed.
“You will be listened to and we will seek to secure justice using all the tools at our disposal.”
‘Time is no barrier’
Detective Sergeant Carley Picken added: “Ian Dunlop is a predatory individual who targeted three young females to his own ends.
“Despite the passage of time these women came forward and spoke to us, leading to his conviction. I hope this sentencing offers them comfort as they move on with their lives.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
“We continue to be committed to bringing all perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice.
“Time is no barrier to our enquiries. I would urge anyone who wishes to report a sexual crime, regardless of when it happened, to contact us so we can conduct a thorough and professional investigation.”
