April 2017

Victims of sex attacker voice fears as he is released

SURVIVORS of paedophile Stephen Pearson’s crimes have spoken of their fear of bumping into him on the streets following his release from prison after nine months.

Pearson, 29, was convicted by a jury last year of multiple counts of grooming and assaulting six youths aged between 13 and 16, between February 2013 and August 2014.

Formerly of Drumry Road, Pearson was put on the sex offenders register indefinitely after exploiting his work with horses and animal-loving youngsters at Willie Logan’s Farm (also known as Cochno Town Farm), at Cleddans Farm and at Braidfield Farm, all Clydebank, to get close to the teenagers in person and through social media

But he was released after nine months, days before Christmas, and his survivors are now terrified of seeing him on the streets of Clydebank.

Only one of the six young people was given the opportunity to comment ahead of Pearson’s release because of the current guidelines and she said she feels ignored.

One survivor told the Post she has been informed Pearson has been seen at a number of locations in Clydebank, including Braidfield Farm, where offences were committed.

Gil Paterson MSP confirmed he is investigating how the case was handled.

A Pearson survivor, now aged 17, said: “I am disgusted that he is allowed back into the vicinity of this area and totally sick to the stomach. I pass all these places on a regular basis, especially now that I’ve recently got my own car.

“I have not seen him, but I’m so scared to as I don’t think I can go through bringing back horrible memories which will certainly happen if I bump into him.

“I do not see it as acceptable for him to be back in the area carrying on with his life as if nothing ever happened.”

The young woman, who was 13 at the time Pearson assaulted her, said she asked the parole board to consider not letting him out, for her “own well being” and how it would affect her if she saw him.

She added: “I was hoping they would listen but I don’t think they did, otherwise he wouldn’t have been released just before Christmas. Being released just before Christmas sort of took away the excitement from the festive period as I knew he would be out enjoying himself which I hoped he wouldn’t be doing so soon.”

Another survivor told us: “The communication between police/prison and victim has been shocking. The fact we are victims of sexual assault and not knowing if or when our attacker is out of prison is extremely disappointing, especially when they suspected that he would return back to the area giving us no time at all to prepare ourselves.”

The Post understands Mr Paterson was approached by survivor families over the situation with Pearson.

He told the Post: “Last month, I raised these issues with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service as well as the Parole Board for Scotland and I am currently waiting on responses.”

Maurice Golden MSP said: “The priority here should always be the welfare of the victims. I understand there are rules to be followed, but all of them should have the right to be informed of the release.”

“They have already been through enough; they deserve to be properly informed. This is another example of the SNP’s soft touch Scotland where the victim comes second.”

March 2016

Man jailed and doomed to life on sex offenders’ register for preying on underagers

A CLYDEBANK man will spend the rest of his life on the sex offenders’ register for grooming and sexually assaulting underage teenagers at local farms.

Stephen Pearson has been put on the list indefinitely to protect the public and has also been jailed for 18 months, with an extra three years on licence where he will be strictly monitored and could swiftly return to prison if he offends again.

The 28-year-old was convicted by a jury at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last month on a string of offences relating to youngsters between the ages of 13 and 16, between February 2013 and August 2014.

Pearson, of Drumry Road, had denied the charges at his three-week trial and at sentencing his defence solicitor said his client maintained that position, except in relation to indisputable and sexual messages he sent one girl.

Waiting to be sentenced on Monday, Pearson smiled and joked with supporters in the court, but he knew the inevitable outcome, having brought a rucksack for his journey to the cells.

He exploited his work with horses and animal-loving youths at Willie Logan’s Farm (also known as Cochno Town Farm), at Cleddans Farm and at Braidfield Farm, all in Clydebank, to get close to teenagers in person and through social media.

Sheriff Simon Pender, after taking more than an hour to consider the sentence, said: “I have considered carefully all the information in the reports and all that has been said on your behalf.

“This course of offending included grooming, including by way of social media. I have concluded by the serious nature and the number of charges, if I disposed of this in a way other than custody, I would be failing to protect the public.

“Given the nature of the offences and the assessment of risk, I need to protect the public from harm upon your release.”

Across the eight charges for which Pearson was convicted, his sentence is a total of four and a half years, three of which will be out of prison on licence.

Victims of Pearson’s crimes, who have spoken exclusively to the Post, were disappointed with the length of time he will be in prison, but took comfort from the fact that he will be listed as a sex offender indefinitely.

One said: “I was slightly disappointed at how short the sentence is. I’m glad that’s him in jail now, though. I’m glad he’s on the sex offenders’ register for life.”

Another added: “I think the sentence is absolutely ridiculous and he should spend all four years in jail.”

And one girl, who was 13 at the time of Pearson’s offences, said: “I’m a bit disappointed in how short the sentence is, but overall glad to know that he did get a prison sentence.”

February 2016

Sex predator convicted of string of sex attacks on young teenagers

A DRUMY man has placed on the sex offenders register after he was found guilty of attacking and molesting a string of children

Stephen Pearson was convicted of a number of charges by a jury at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday, following a three-week trial. 

Sheriff Simon Pender ordered the 28-year-old to be listed as a sex offender, but continued his bail while reports are prepared for sentencing next month. 

Pearson had denied the charges – which all related to youngsters between the ages of 13 and 16 – between February 2013 and August 2014. 

Of 12 charges against Pearson, the jury cleared him of one, found another three charges not proven and guilty by a majority of another six. One charge was a unanimous guilty verdict. 

Between February 1 and 28, 2013, at a farm in Clydebank, Pearson kissed a 13-year-old girl on the lips and touched her on the body and on her breasts over her clothing. 

He was also guilty of sending the girl messages with sexual remarks between January and August 2014.

And between May 1 and 31 that year, of putting an arm around her waist, repeatedly kissing her on the lips, on the neck, pushing her against a caravan or trailer, touching her on the body over her clothing, touching her sexually under her clothing, pull down his trousers, exposing himself, touching himself sexually and attempting to place her hand on his penis. 

Between June 1 and July 31, 2013, he sexually assaulted another 14-year-old and repeatedly placed his arms around her waist, touched her on the buttocks over her clothing and push her against the door of a stable. 

Between June 1 and June 30, 2013, on a train between Clydebank and Carntyne and elsewhere, he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, placed a hand on her knee, ran it along her thigh, pushed her against a container, pressed his body against her, touched her on the buttocks over her clothing, attempted to place a hand down her trousers, attempted to kiss her on the lips and repeatedly kissed her on the neck. 

Between June 21 and July 20, 2013, he sent messages with sexual remarks to a 15-year-old girl. 

Between August 1 and 31, 2013, at another farm, he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and touched her on the buttocks over her clothing and kissed her on the lips. 

Between June 1 and 31, 2014, at a third farm in Clydebank, he made sexual remarks to a girl and 14-year-old boy.