Anthony McElhone

Anthony McElhone, a 71-year-old man formerly residing in Morton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire, was sentenced to 10 years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh for a series of sexual offences committed against two teenage girls in Shetland during the mid-1990s.

The offences took place between March 1993 and December 1996 at various locations including Lerwick, Sandwick, and Symbister. McElhone, who had served in the Royal Navy and held various jobs across the country, targeted his first victim when she was aged 15 and 16. He made sexual remarks to the teenager and on one occasion touched her body inappropriately.

• Between March 1993 and December 1995, McElhone indecently assaulted the first victim through sexual comments and physical contact.
• From August 1995 to December 1996, he subjected a second girl, starting from the age of 16, to repeated abuse, including molestation, sexual remarks, exposing himself, and raping her on two occasions.

McElhone denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury on two counts of indecent assault and one count of rape, with unanimous verdicts returned. Judge Lady Ross described the abuse as taking place in 'a truly horrible way,' noting that McElhone had exploited the second victim's vulnerability and groomed her. She highlighted the courage of the victims in testifying and told McElhone, 'You are responsible for causing deep and continuing suffering,' adding that he was 'an arrogant man' who accepted no responsibility for his actions. Lady Ross further stated, 'About 30 years in the early to mid 1990s in Shetland you committed sexual offences against two teenage girls and now your past has finally caught up with you.'

Detective Constable Nina Crehan of Police Scotland commented on the case, saying, 'McElhone subjected these girls to sustained sexual abuse over a number of years. I would like to thank them for their assistance with our investigations. My thoughts are with them, and I hope this result brings them some sense of closure. Sexual abuse will not be tolerated, and this case shows that time is no barrier to justice.' The sentencing occurred last week prior to the article's publication on 15 December 2025, with McElhone appearing via video link from prison. As a first offender assessed at low risk of reoffending, he was nevertheless placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. Defence solicitor advocate Paul Mullen noted McElhone's good work history and prosocial life, but the court emphasised the severity of the crimes.

The case was reported by The Shetland Times, underscoring the ongoing pursuit of justice for historical sexual abuses in the region.