RAPIST RELEASED
In September 2013 John McCallum was sentenced to 10 years in jail for an 11-year campaign of sex abuse on his nieces when they were aged between just five and 13. Now less than four years later this is him back walking our streets..
A PAEDOPHILE jailed for 10 years for raping his twin nieces has enjoyed a week-long jaunt out of prison after less than four years behind bars.
John McCallum was caged in 2013 for subjecting Tracy Brown and Rachel Steadwood to sickening abuse when they
were aged between five and 13. Last night, terrified Tracy told how she was “disgusted” by his unsupervised home leave.
Depraved McCallum was banned from entering the nearby town where they both live as part of the visit but Tracy said the move left her “petrified” of bumping into him.
He was spotted pottering around his house at Straiton, Midlothian, as he spent time away from low security Castle Huntly jail, near Dundee.
The 56-year-old sex beast, who appeared relaxed, is understood to be returning to prison today.
We told last December how the twins were living in terror after being informed McCallum had been approved for home visits.
Tracy, now 44, said: “It’s all wrong. I’m devastated by this.
“How can society give someone like that 10 years and let them get out after less than four? Where’s the justice in that?
“Does that mean me and my sister’s lives were worth barely two years each?
“It sends the message to other beasts that if you’re jailed for raping children, then you’ll be back out on the streets in no time.
“Officials came to see us before he was let out and we had to draw a boundary around where we lived that he couldn’t enter. That was the only contribution we had.
“I’m petrified this man is out. I’ve been leaving work at night and looking over my shoulder, looking out for any strange cars. It’s not a nice way to live.
“I’m worried I go into a shop and bump into him. I don’t know what would happen.
“John McCallum is a bad, bad man. He’s still a danger.”
The pervert was convicted of abusing his nieces in his caravan at a travellers’ site in Duddingston, Edinburgh, and in Loanhead, Midlothian, where he lived, between 1978 and 1987.
Rachel and Tracy bravely waived their anonymity to talk about the ordeal they suffered.
The sisters said they were left battling depression and both have attempted suicide. Neither victim knew the other had been abused until 2011.
Tracy added: “I’m glad we came forward and told the truth but the early release leaves you feeling, ‘What was the point?’
“I still have nightmares every night and this is bringing the worry and panic back. I’m reliving everything again.”
McCallum had denied all the charges, forcing the twins to give evidence in court.
After being jailed, he refused to be put into segregation with other sex offenders at Edinburgh’s Saughton Prison and was allowed a cell in the jail’s general population.
Twisted McCallum, who has links to the criminal underworld, left the twins living in fear of revenge attacks. In 2013, police investigated reports of witness intimidation aimed at stopping the twins testifying against him.
Rachel’s car was vandalised, with the mirror smashed and bodywork “keyed”.
A relative’s cars were covered in paint stripper while an elderly family member had her house windows smashed.
Another relative due to give evidence at the trial was run off the road while driving.
Armed police swooped on McCallum’s home in April 2013 to search for drugs and guns.
Officers found £10,000 cash in a bedroom and sought to seize the money under proceeds of crimes laws. Prosecutors later abandoned the case.
McCallum’s wife, Nicola, who stood by him, passed away earlier this year.
She had been convicted of screaming abuse at heavily pregnant Rachel outside a health centre last year.
A Scottish Prison Service spokeswoman said: “We do not comment on individual prisoners.”
She added: “Home leave is an important part of reintegration as an individual can be tested on how they cope in the community, and this helps form the parole board decisions.
“A rigorous risk assessment is undertaken prior to any offender being granted unescorted leave.”
I’m worried I go into a shop and bump into him. I don’t know what would happen. John McCallum is a bad, bad man. He’s still a danger TRACY BROWN