A brother and sister who hindered police searching for a missing 15-year-old girl were ordered to complete unpaid work in the community yesterday.
Kevin Gillan, 26, of Dunstaffnage Cottage, Soroba House Mews, Oban, and Emma Gillan, 23, of 10c Miller Road, Oban, appeared for sentence at Oban Sheriff Court.
Both previously pleaded guilty to resisting, obstructing or hindering two police officers in the execution of their duty on June 18 at Dunollie Cottage, Soroba House Mews.
The girl had failed to return to a children’s home.
Kevin Gillan admitted repeatedly informing officers that the girl was not in Dunollie Cottage when he knew that she was there.
Emma Gillan pleaded guilty to the same charge, but only on one occasion.
Solicitor James Dunbar said: “Mr Gillan resides with his mother. He fully accepts responsibility here. He tells me he had met the girl in question at a friend’s house. She informed him that she worked in Lochgilphead and had missed the last bus home. He offered her somewhere to stay with him and his mother that evening.
“There was a full scale search for the girl. The next morning police came to his door. At this point he had no idea the age of the girl and had no idea of the publicity surrounding the search. He wasn’t aware there was a search going on.
“He does accept that he hindered police, but there was no malicious intent here. He was pretty confused about the situation. He thought the girl was in trouble and that he was protecting her.
“He deeply regrets his actions. He is terribly remorseful.
“He has considerable difficulty with his mental health and is on a considerable amount of medication. He served in the army for four years from the age of 16 and has served in Iraq.”
Solicitor Laura McManus said Emma Gillan had spoken to police only once as she was going out the door of the house.
Sheriff Douglas Small said: “Kevin Gillan your involvement in this charge is more extensive than your sister’s. I can’t overlook the serious nature of this charge. It involves a young girl not returning to a children’s home and an extensive police search and inquiries. I will deal with it by way of a community payback order with a requirement that you perform 200 hours of unpaid work.
“Emma Gillan, your involvement was considerably less than your brother. Not withstanding that this is a serious matter. I order that you perform 100 hours of unpaid work.”
