Auchinleck man who 'flashed' girl acquitted of sex abuse

William McComb faced three historic charges dating back to the 1970s and 1980s involving two complainers.

Details of the incidents - alleged to have taken place in Auchinleck, Logan, Cumnock and Lanark - were heard during a four-day trial last week at Ayr Sheriff Court.

It was alleged that the 75-year-old, known as ‘Billy’, exposed himself to one complainer when she was on a day out with others. It was further alleged that he later did the same while watching Glen Michael’s Cavalcade in his home while his wife was asleep.

A second woman came forward with similar allegations after the first complainer reported McComb to police in 2022, but the court was told they had died before the trial.

The jury was shown McComb's police interview, where he admitted he "flashed”, possibly "more than once", while denying any “sexual contact or connotation”.

He later told the court he got his "T-shirt caught in his zip", and called the deceased woman's allegations "a total fabrication".

The Chronicle previously reported that he was accused of using lewd, indecent or libidinous practices and behaviour towards one girl when she was aged between 10 and 12 in the early 1970s.

It was alleged that he touched her on the body and performed a sex act in her presence.  

The charges against the second girl took place between 1978 and 1986, when the then-child was aged between seven and 14. 

It was claimed that McComb used lewd, indecent or libidinous practices and behaviour towards her, and exposed himself and compelled her to perform a sex act.  

The first day of the trial on Tuesday, October 22 heard from the complainer in charges two and three, now in her fifties.

She gave evidence without a screen and often directly addressed the accused. 

She told the procurator fiscal depute that the allegations happened more than once, adding “two, three, four or five times”, firstly when she was about seven and lastly aged "13 or 14". 

She said: “I was playing on the swings and he wanted a game of tig and said 'lets play hide and seek'.  

“We were in the middle of the woods. He caught me and moved to the front of the tree. He pulled his trousers down and pants down and showed me it. I didn’t want to look and put my hand to my head.  

"He told me to touch it and I refused. He didn’t [say anything] he just smiled. I just ran. 

“He told me not to tell anyone or something would happen with my mum and dad. I didn’t tell anyone, I was scared. 

“He was smiling. I ran to the group. I didn’t tell anyone."

Describing a later incident, she said: “I was at his house on Sunday night. Glen Michael’s Cavalcade was on TV and I loved Scooby Doo. [McComb’s wife] was sleeping. 

“I had a bad feeling and looked behind me into the kitchen and he had his trousers at his ankles, exposed again and smirking. 

"He didn’t say anything, he was just smirking."

Describing another alleged incident she said she fell back and bumped her head.

She said: "It wasn't because I bumped my head - it was because of what you did - this dirty secret you made me keep.

"You can't even look at me."

A second female, who was present on the same day as the 'Glen Michael' allegation, confirmed she saw the accused before going upstairs with others.

The complainer later told her about the allegations asking her not to tell anyone.   

The next day Jury members were shown McComb's police interview, where the accused admitted he "flashed". 

He said: "I flashed at her, but that was many, many years ago. I never laid hands on her. 

"I don't know the purpose, it was just something that happened. I hold my hands up to that.

"As I say I did, I think it was more than once."

He added: "I think I need to speak to someone, I'm a bit out of my depth here."

The jury were shown the video a second time, after defence advocate Lorenzo Alonzi wished to question one of the detectives in the interview. 

A detective constable read a statement he took from the deceased complainer, then aged in her sixties.

She said: "I was made aware that [the complainer] made a report to police about what Billy had done.

"I was told he was charged by police in relation to exposing himself, I told [person] he had done the same to me when I was younger.

"The first incident was when I was 10 or 11, he would have been in his 20s.

"We were swimming. He kept coming over to me and touching my waist. 

"We were lying on towels, he put the towel to the other side of the car and laid on his side.

"He was wearing swimming trunks and he removed his [privates] and started playing with himself. Billy was smiling as he was doing this.

"Another time I remember at his address, I was still primary school age. I went back to their house and could see him at the side door.

"As I got closer to the house he could see me coming, I could see he was wearing trousers and had his fly open again. Billy kept staring at me smiling.

"I told him to f**k off after seeing what he was doing.

"I never went into the house as I was too scared.

"The next time I remember was in my house, I was still primary school age, and was waiting on a grocery van.

"He appeared behind me and put his arms around my waist. I said to 'get your f*****g hands off me'. Billy backed off and the guy in the van gave me a row for swearing."

Taking the stand in his defence, McComb said: "It was unintentional [exposing himself]. I was working in the garage and came in the backdoor. I had to sort myself.

"My T-shirt was caught in my zip. I pulled them down and the light came on. [The complainer] was there. I covered myself up. 

"It was an unintentional thing."

Asked about the second female's complaint to police, he said: "It’s a total fabrication."

Describing the complainer's evidence, he said: "I was devastated, I couldn't look at her, I had to face elsewhere."

He said 'no' to suggestions from the fiscal depute that he was "telling lies" to "dig himself out of a hole" having first "learned his trade" with the now deceased complainer.

The jury, reduced to 13 members from 15 during the trial, retired at around 12.30pm on Friday, October 25, before being encouraged not to consider the evidence during their hour-long lunch break.

They later returned to further query whether they were allowed to delete aspects from the charges - and requested to view the police interview for a third time.

McComb was found not proven by majority vote to all three of the charges at 3.24pm.

Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart said: "Being acquitted of all three charges you are free to go."