The Farriers Registration Council has struck off an Oban rapist from its professional register after a disciplinary committee ruled that his conviction made him unfit to remain registered.
Malcolm Sloss, who worked as a professionally registered farrier prior to his conviction, will not be registered to work with horses once he is released from his 13 year sentence following the decision from the Disciplinary Committee of the Farriers Registration Council.
Sloss did not attend the hearing in any form, nor did he send any representation. The committee was told that repeated letters and invitations sent to Sloss at HMP Barlinnie were unanswered.
The panel concluded that he had deliberately chosen not to participate and decided the case could proceed in his absence.
The committee read through the facts of Sloss’ case, in which he was convicted of six serious sexual assaults, one sexual assault, and other sexual offences on November 1 2024.
Sloss was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
The council’s solicitor Ms Catriona Watt told the hearing that the offences were of “the utmost gravity” and spanned a lengthy period. It was also highlighted that Sloss had maintained his innocence despite the conviction and had not engaged with the disciplinary process.
The solicitor added that Sloss’ “disgraceful conduct outside professional practice” could be sufficient to bring the profession into disrepute and call for action by the regulator.
In reaching its decision, the committee confirmed that the criminal conviction was sufficient evidence to prove the allegations. It also noted that only in exceptional circumstances could it go behind a court verdict, which it found did not exist in this case.
On the question of professional misconduct, the panel ruled that Sloss’s actions constituted serious misconduct in a professional respect. It said farriers are expected to uphold high standards of conduct both inside and outside their work, and that serious criminal behaviour—particularly sexual offences—would normally be incompatible with remaining in the profession.
The committee identified multiple aggravating factors, including the nature and severity of the offences, the number of victims, the prolonged period over which the crimes were committed, abuse of trust, and the fact that at least one victim had encountered Sloss through his professional role. It also noted a lack of insight and continuing denial of guilt.
No mitigating factors were identified beyond the absence of previous disciplinary history.
The committee considered that Sloss’ conviction was so serious that no other sanction would suffice than removal from the Register, adding that his behaviour was "fundamentally incompatible" with being a registered farrier.
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