AARON HERSCHELL SENTENCED IN LIVINGSTON FOR VIOLATING SEX OFFENDER RESTRICTIONS

In a recent development in Livingston, Aaron Herschell, a 24-year-old known for his criminal history and recent violations, has been sentenced to a year in prison after being caught socializing with minors under the age of 16. Herschell, who previously underwent a gender transition and now identifies as Alexis, was found guilty of breaching a Risk of Sexual Harm Order (ROSHO) that was specifically designed to restrict his interactions with minors.

Herschell’s legal troubles stem from incidents on May 16 and 17, when he was found in the company of children below the age of 16, despite having been explicitly banned from such contact by the court order. His breach of the order led to his sentencing in West Lothian, where he was remanded to HMP Addiewell, an all-male prison facility. The court proceedings revealed that Herschell’s name would remain on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years, a measure intended to monitor and restrict his activities due to the severity of his violations.

Sheriff Douglas Kinloch presided over the case and emphasized the gravity of Herschell’s repeated failures to adhere to public safety orders. During sentencing, Sheriff Kinloch warned Herschell that this was not his first offense and that he risked incarceration for a third time if he continued to violate the conditions set forth by the court. The sheriff’s comments underscored the ongoing concern about Herschell’s pattern of behavior and the potential threat he posed to the community.

The case drew significant public outrage, partly due to Herschell’s controversial history. In 2016, Herschell, then known as Alexis, caused a stir when he requested gender reassignment surgery during his rape trial at Polmont Young Offender’s Institution in Falkirk. The trial involved serious charges, and female officers expressed concern about being ordered to perform ‘rubdown’ searches, fearing repercussions on their employment if they refused.

Further complicating his criminal record, Herschell was convicted in July 2017 by the High Court of Glasgow for attempting to rape a 19-year-old woman he met through the MeetMe dating app. After serving time and being released in October 2018, he was subsequently detained again for two years due to violations of his release conditions. Despite allegations and confessions from friends, Herschell was acquitted of a second rape charge involving an 18-year-old girl, with the evidence not sufficient for conviction.

In May 2020, Herschell was subjected to a strict ROSHO, which prohibited any contact or communication with individuals under 16, except for incidental interactions. Despite these restrictions, he violated the order by deleting chat records and dating apps, including Kik, which is known for facilitating conversations with minors. Earlier this year, authorities found Herschell with several children at the residence of a close friend in Livingston, further demonstrating his disregard for the court’s directives.

His defense attorney, Andy Aitken, claimed that Herschell’s actions were motivated solely by a desire to assist his friend, though he acknowledged that Herschell should not have been in contact with children. Nonetheless, Sheriff Kinloch made it clear that Herschell’s repeated violations warranted a custodial sentence, stating, “Unfortunately, this is your third conviction for failing to follow the terms of an order that was made to protect the public.” The sheriff emphasized that the prison sentence was necessary to serve as a reminder of the importance of compliance with court orders designed to safeguard the community.