Graphic letters sentencing is deferred again

A Carradale man who gave letters described as ‘incestuous filth’ to a man and woman on two separate occasions has had his sentence further deferred.

John McFarlane, 71, of 9 Tormhor, Carradale, appeared for sentencing at Campbeltown Sheriff Court on Thursday June 27, having previously pleaded guilty to two charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner after delivering the graphic, sexual written communication to the man on December 19 last year and the woman on December 22.

McFarlane regularly gave the man and woman lifts to and from Campbeltown and, during one of the journeys, he gave the man a bag of sweets and a letter, on the back of which was written ‘Christmas Day’.

A few days later, when giving a lift to the woman, he gave her a box of chocolates and a letter, also marked ‘Christmas Day’, and told her not to open it until December 25.

Coincidentally, both the man and the woman opened their letters on December 24 and discovered that the contents related to sexual activity between a father and daughter.

The letter was not read out in court owing to its graphic detail. The female recipient described it as ‘incestuous filth’ and only managed to read half of it before stopping because she felt physically sick. The man was so shocked by the letter’s contents that he ripped it up and texted McFarlane telling him of his disgust.

On December 26, the man accepted another lift from McFarlane and was given a second letter, containing the same material, and was asked to read it out loud in the car. The woman eventually told her family and her daughter reported the incident to police on January 5 this year.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes deferred sentence for six months, until December 12, for McFarlane to be of good behaviour. He banned him from contacting the man or the woman.

Sheriff Hughes said: ‘I cannot guarantee what will happen at that time but I anticipate drawing a line under it.’