Victims suffered ‘life-long effects’ Abuser jailed for attacks nearly 60 years ago

A Hamilton child abuser brought to justice after almost 60 years was this week jailed for three years.

John Malone (74) preyed on two innocent youngsters in the late 1950s when the Fairhill man was a teenager himself.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, judge Tom Hughes told Malone that both his victims had suffered “catastrophic life-long” effects because of his sexual abuse.

Judge Hughes added: “You appear to show some remorse, but the impact on the two complainers has been long and lasting.

“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and will be punished by the courts. For your victims the shadow of what you did has not diminished, but they now know their voice has been heard and they have been vindicated.”

Earlier, defence counsel Louise Arrol argued for a non-custodial sentence for the first offender, saying that Malone suffered poor health and had both hips replaced and now needed knee replacements.

Miss Arrol said: “The author of the background report prepared on Mr Malone says a community payback order would be an option that could be considered.”

But Judge Hughes said: “A custodial sentence is inevitable, however you saved both of your victims having to give evidence in court.”

He told Malone that, but for his guilty plea he would have jailed him for four years.

It was not until 2015 when one of the victims went to police that Malone was finally snared.

Malone had pleaded guilty to two charges of using lewd and libidinous conduct.

He lived near the victims in Hamilton and would often their homes.

The first was aged around eight when she was attacked. She was also pounced upon at an area of wasteland in the town.

Prosecutor Gillian Ross said the girl tried to tell her mum at the time what had happened, but was told to “be quiet”.

A boy around the same age was also abused. He also tried unsuccessfully to reveal to a relative how he had suffered.

It was in 2015 the victim – now in his 60s – reported his ordeal to the police. It was this that lead to Malone’s arrest. visit