A firefighter raped a nine-year-old girl after she was rescued from her burning house, then threatened to kill her mother if she told anyone.
John McGinn attended a fire at the victim’s home in Bellshill, Scotland, in January 1994.
The girl’s mother was taken to hospital while the girl was taken to her grandmother’s house nearby.
McGinn lived locally and knew the girl and her family, so was invited in when he visited the grandmother’s house later that day.
He told the girl’s grandmother he would play a game with the traumatised girl, but instead raped her.
“I told him to stop. He said if I told anyone he would kill my mother,” the victim, now 30, told Glasgow High Court in June.
McGinn has strenuously denied the rape allegations, and similar claims he assaulted another child and an ex-partner, but was convicted of the crimes.
“It’s a downright lie, it did not happen. No chance. For her to come out with that is ridiculous,” he said. “I would rather put a bullet in my own head than be a paedophile.”
McGinn was back before a judge this week to be sentenced, but the case was adjourned until later this month.
