ANDREW BRADSHAW TRANENT SEX OFFENDER AND BEACH CLEAN-UP HERO IN SCOTLAND

In February 2017, Andrew Bradshaw, a man with a troubling past, was publicly recognized for his community service efforts in Scotland, specifically for his dedication to cleaning up beaches. Bradshaw, aged 59 at the time, was awarded the title of “Hero of the Month” by Keep Scotland Beautiful, an organization committed to environmental conservation and community improvement. His recognition came after he volunteered countless hours, often in challenging weather conditions, to collect litter from Gosford Bay, East Lothian, demonstrating a commendable commitment to environmental stewardship.

However, beneath this veneer of community service lies a dark history. It has been revealed that Bradshaw was convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a vulnerable teenage boy. The incident took place at his residence in Tranent, East Lothian, where he was working as a teaching assistant. The victim, a 15-year-old boy with learning difficulties, was described as “highly vulnerable,” and the abuse occurred after Bradshaw falsely claimed he was taking the boy on a trip to Dunbar. Instead, he took the boy to his home in Tranent, where he subjected him to sexual assault.

The boy’s mother was initially told that her son would be going on a trip, but she later discovered the truth. The victim confided in his mother, leading to Bradshaw’s arrest. During the subsequent legal proceedings, Bradshaw pleaded guilty to the charges at the High Court in Edinburgh. He was sentenced to four years in prison and was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life. After serving his sentence, Bradshaw returned to Tranent, where he resumed his life, seemingly unrepentant, and continued his community activities.

Despite his criminal past, Bradshaw’s efforts in environmental cleanup earned him praise from Keep Scotland Beautiful. In a press release, Bradshaw expressed his belief that “I’ve shown that with persistence, even the worst of beaches can be restored to how nature intended.” A spokesperson for the organization stated that “all our heroes are nominated by others who appreciate their efforts,” but it was later understood that Keep Scotland Beautiful was unaware of Bradshaw’s previous convictions at the time of his recognition.

Bradshaw’s criminal history dates back to December 2011, when he was jailed for four years for sexually assaulting the same boy. The court heard that Bradshaw, then a 54-year-old learning assistant at a school in Edinburgh, had agreed with the boy’s mother to take him on a trip to Dunbar. Instead, he took the boy to his home in Morrison Avenue, Tranent, where he engaged in sexual activities, including assault and making the boy watch a sex education program before abusing him. Bradshaw admitted to these acts, which occurred on July 29, and was placed on the sex offenders’ register.

During sentencing, Lord Pentland emphasized the gravity of Bradshaw’s breach of trust, noting that he had known the victim since 2007 and held a position of significant responsibility. The judge highlighted that the victim suffered from Global Developmental Delay, with reading and numerical abilities comparable to children aged 6 or 7 and 5 or 6 respectively, making him highly susceptible to manipulation. The court detailed the calculated nature of Bradshaw’s actions, including his deception of the victim’s mother and the planning involved in the offense. The abuse extended beyond physical contact to oral sex, with Bradshaw instructing the boy not to tell his mother, further demonstrating the severity of his misconduct.

Despite the seriousness of the offense, Bradshaw’s legal team argued that he had no prior convictions and expressed remorse. He had also attempted to take an overdose of aspirin, indicating his remorse and mental distress. The court acknowledged his early guilty plea, which resulted in a reduction of his sentence from six to four years, with the sentence backdated to November 2, 2011, when he was remanded in custody. The court also mandated that Bradshaw remain on the sex offenders’ register for life and recommended that his name be added to the list of individuals deemed unsuitable to work with children, reflecting the ongoing concern over his suitability for roles involving vulnerable individuals.