CHOKING FIEND JAILED
GIRLS ATTACKED IN PERVERT’S HOME
A dangerous “sexual deviant” who strangled and sexually assaulted young women has been caged for four years.
John MacDonald compressed the throats of two women “to the danger of their lives” during drink and drug-fuelled sessions at his home in West Lothian.
Witnesses said one of his victims “started to turn purple” as he viciously compressed her throat. The other was struggling to get breath and choking after he attacked her for criticising his behaviour.
The weirdo also admitted having unlawful intercourse with a 14-year-old schoolgirl while he was on bail for the sex crimes.
Livingston Sheriff Court heard that MacDonald turned his house in Philip Avenue, Bathgate, into a “hub” for young
people to drink alcohol and smoke cannabis.
The court also heard MacDonald breached a special bail condition banning him from contacting children under 18 by having underage sex with a girl he knew was aged only 14.
MacDonald ( 31) pled guilty to committing the offences between December 2018 and June 2019.
None of his victims can be identified for legal reasons.
Craig Scott, defending, said MacDonald had been subjected to “horrible experiences” while growing up, as a result of which he was socially isolated from people his own age.
He said: “Throughout childhood he was bullied at school and by members of the community.
“He has always suffered from considerable learning difficulties, including an inability to fully comprehend English or get ideas across and a personality disorder.
“Given the lack of insight which the social work report says Mr MacDonald has, an extended sentence would be a suitable disposal.”
Passing sentence, Sheriff Peter Hammond told the accused that using asphyxiation on his sexual partners amounted to “deviant” sexual conduct.
He said: “On two separate occasions you assaulted two different females. You seized hold of and compressed the necks of these two complainers which restricted their breathing so that their lives were in danger.
“On another occasion you sexually assaulted a female. There is a further charge of assault and a charge of intercourse with an underage girl who was 14 years of age at the time.
“You also pleaded guilty to breaching a bail order by having unsupervised contact with her.
“You’re assessed as being at high risk of committing further offences of a sexual nature and causing harm to others.”
The sheriff added: “Because of the gravity of the crimes you have admitted a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal in your case.
“I have to ensure that the public is protected against serious harm on your eventual release from prison so for that reason I’m going to pass on you an extended sentence of seven years.”
He said MacDonald would remain under strict social work supervision for three years following his eventual release from prison and his name will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
He warned that if MacDonald breached his licence conditions he could be returned to custody.
You’re assessed as being at high risk of committing further offences of a sexual nature and causing harm to others Sheriff Hammond