Justice served: Rapist who attacked seven people receives appropriate sentence
A judge responsible for sentencing a rapist who spent 25 years preying on seven defenseless victims imposed an “unduly lenient” sentence on the offender, a court heard. Prosecutor Paul Harvey told appeal judges on Wednesday that Judge John McCormack made errors when he handed an eight-year term to Robert McGeachy. The 63-year-old was given the sentence in June 2024 following proceedings at the High Court in Glasgow. McGeachy, of Cardonald, Glasgow, was convicted of 17 charges detailing how he preyed on complainants between 1978 and 2003 at addresses in his home city.
Crown lawyers believe that Judge McCormack should have given a longer sentence to McGeachy. Mr. Harvey told judges Lord Doherty, Lord Matthews, and Lord Armstrong that their colleague failed to properly consider the impact and gravity of McGeachy’s crimes on his victims. “The judge did not properly assess the harm that the appellant’s offending had on the complainants. I say that the sentence was unduly lenient because he did not take a structured approach to sentencing.”
Catalogue of Horrific Crimes
During McGeachy’s campaign of abuse, he committed heinous acts of violence and sexual assault. This included raping a teenager and a woman. The first victim was a young child who McGeachy sexually abused, displaying a disturbing pattern of predation. He then preyed on another youngster before escalating to raping a teenager. One particularly brutal attack saw McGeachy force a cloth into her mouth and tie her hands behind her back. The level of violence and disregard for human life in his actions is abhorrent and demands severe consequences.
McGeachy continued his reign of terror by raping a woman and pressing a knife to her throat, instilling fear and trauma in his victims. He further displayed his cruelty by repeatedly being violent to another woman, choking her, headbutting her, and even gouging a finger into her eye. The details of these assaults paint a grim picture of the suffering inflicted by McGeachy on multiple individuals over an extended period.
Impact and Justice
Passing sentence, Judge McCormick acknowledged the gravity of McGeachy’s offenses, stating that the charges represented a catalogue of sexual and violent offending. Despite this recognition, the imposed eight-year sentence was deemed insufficient by the prosecution, emphasizing the need for a more severe punishment that reflects the severity of the crimes committed. The victims’ testimonies provided compelling evidence of the trauma and lasting effects of McGeachy’s actions, underscoring the importance of delivering justice that truly serves to protect society and hold perpetrators accountable.
The decision to put McGeachy on the sex offenders register for life reflects the understanding of the ongoing threat he poses to the community. This measure serves as a safeguard against potential future harm and ensures that individuals with such a history of violence and abuse are monitored appropriately. However, the debate over the adequacy of the initial sentence raises questions about the effectiveness of the judicial system in addressing cases of extreme violence and exploitation.
In response to the Crown’s appeal for a longer sentence, defense advocate Donald Findlay KC argued that Judge McCormack acted correctly and urged the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh to reject the appeal. Findlay’s defense of the initial sentencing decision highlights the complex considerations and interpretations that come into play in legal proceedings involving serious criminal offenses. The differing perspectives on the appropriate punishment for McGeachy reflect the broader discourse on justice, rehabilitation, and societal protection in cases of egregious harm.
The deliberation by Lord Doherty and his colleagues underscores the weight of the decision at hand and the need for a thorough examination of the facts and legal principles involved. The outcome of this appeal will not only impact McGeachy’s case but also set a precedent for how similar cases of serial violence and abuse are handled in the future. The pursuit of justice in such cases requires a delicate balance between accountability, rehabilitation, and the protection of vulnerable individuals from further harm.
In conclusion, the sentencing of individuals like Robert McGeachy, who have inflicted immeasurable harm on multiple victims, poses significant challenges to the justice system in ensuring appropriate consequences and safeguarding society. The ongoing debate over the adequacy of the initial sentence highlights the complexities inherent in addressing cases of extreme violence and exploitation. As the legal process unfolds, the need for a thorough and thoughtful approach to sentencing in cases of serial abuse remains paramount to upholding the principles of justice and protecting the most vulnerable members of society.