Paul McFadyen jailed for six years for sex crimes against two women

A high-risk sex offender applauded during an outburst after a jury found him guilty of multiple offences.

Paul McFadyen, 61, is said to have “lost his reputation” and now “his freedom” after being jailed for six years.

McFadden targeted two young women while working at an Ayrshire community centre.

Advocate representative Donald Davidson KC said he appeared to find “some sexual or perverse pleasure in humiliating young women”.

High Court in Edinburgh Heard how he began making sexually explicit and inappropriate comments before his behavior escalated to grabbing, grabbing and pinching his buttocks.

He molested a victim in a car on an industrial estate in Ayrshire and raped her in a car in a layby in Renfrewshire.

“Your behavior towards both of them was appalling”

Judge Lady Poole said both women were “much younger and smaller” than McFadden.

She added: “Your behavior towards them both was appalling.

“I have carefully read both victim impact statements given to the court.

“It is clear that your conduct was not only disturbing but had a number of long-term and serious consequences for the victim.”

The court heard McFadyen, formerly of Erskine, Renfrewshire, also subsequently committed offences, including trying to lure teenagers into his car.

Mrs Poole pointed out that he did not come to the attention of the court until he was 56 years old.

McFadyen’s criminal record includes being placed on the sex offenders register in 2017 for threatening and abusive behavior towards an 18- and 14-year-old youth.

He was also convicted of indecent images of children offenses committed in 2019.

‘He lost everything’

Defense attorney Sarah Livingstone said: “He lost everything. He lost his reputation. He lost his home. He lost his freedom.”

Ms Livingstone said he had been “kicked out” by a vigilante group from a previous speech.

A background report concluded McFadden was considered a “high risk for sexual offending.”

Ms Poole said: “You are now 61 years old. You have good qualifications and employment history and for most of your life you have not been in trouble with the police.

“It has come to my attention that you have suffered from poor health, physical and mental ill health and alcohol problems in recent years.

“I take into account that you have not previously been sentenced to imprisonment or detention but given the nature and seriousness of the offenses for which you were convicted, no other way of dealing with you is appropriate.”

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McFadden denied a range of charges at last year’s trial but was found guilty of five counts – one count of rape, three counts of indecent assault and breach of the peace.

All the offenses occurred between July 2003 and December 2006.

He erupted in applause in the courtroom after the jury returned a guilty verdict and proceedings ended in his absence.

“I hope this verdict brings comfort to the victims”

McFadden was sentenced Wednesday.

He was sentenced to an extended term of nine years, six of which were fixed-term, and a further three years after his release.

McFadden was also placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and banned from contacting his victims for 20 years.

After the hearing, Detective Inspector Fraser Spence said: “Despite the passage of time, the victim gave us a statement which enabled us to carry out our investigation.

“I hope this sentence will provide them with comfort as they move on with their lives.”