Dumbarton rapist jailed for preying on young girls in the 70s and 80s
Last updated 12th Dec 2017
A rapist who preyed on two young girls was jailed for 11 years.
Owen Hollern was branded a 'sexual predator' who 'ruled with an iron fist'.
The 70 year-old left his victims petrified during a series of attacks between 1975 and 1988.
The crimes occurred at different addresses in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire.
Hollern was locked up at the High Court in Glasgow after being found guilty of four rape charges as well as lewd and libidinous behaviour.
Judge Johanna Johnston QC said: 'You have been convicted of a series of dreadful sexual offences.'
She added the OAP had caused 'profound and long lasting damage' by what he done.
Hollern had denied the accusations.
But, in her closing speech to jurors, prosecutor Angela Gray said: 'The Crown case is that what Owen Hollern has tried to keep hidden for over 40 years is that he is a sexual predator and a rapist.
'He has for a significant period in his life abused young females.'
The first victim - who was 14 at the time - recalled being 'scared' and 'did not feel like she could say no'.
Detective Inspector Scott Hamilton, based at Clydebank Police Office said: “Hollern was a sexual predator who preyed on these young children, manipulated and abused them.
“Despite the appalling ordeal that he subjected these young girls to, they have had the courage to speak out about what happened to them and their information has been crucial to this investigation.
I would like to thank them for their bravery in what must have been a daunting task to report him to police and then to have the courage to provide their evidence in court.
Their testimonies have been vital to ensure that Owen Hollern is prevented from preying on other young children.
“My thoughts remain with the victims and their loved ones. I hope that today’s sentencing can bring them some solace in that person responsible for these despicable actions has now been held to account and they can move forward with their lives.
“We are committed to supporting victims of sexual crimes and investigating those responsible regardless of when they took place. Indeed, there may be more who have suffered at the hands of Owen Hollern, and I would encourage them to come forward to police.
They can be assured of being fully supported by officers and our partner agencies.
“I would also like to thank the team of officers who worked on this investigation for their dedication and commitment to this sensitive case.
The court heard how the other girl was abused from around the age of 11.
She also felt 'frightened' after being 'groomed' by Hollern.
Jurors heard he 'ruled with an iron fist'.
This girl initially went to police in the late 80s, but then retracted the allegations.
It was not until earlier this year that officers came to both during an investigation.
Miss Gray asked jurors: 'Why would these women come here to tell intimate details to strangers in those circumstances if they were not telling the truth?'
Hollern was also put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.