ANTHONY MCGERTY FROM AYR AND MAYBOLE JAILED FOR REPEATED SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN

In a series of disturbing criminal acts spanning several years, Anthony McGerty, a resident of Ayr and Maybole, has been repeatedly convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving minors. His criminal activities, which include grooming, sexual assault, and distribution of indecent images, have shocked the local communities and prompted severe legal repercussions.

In November 2015, McGerty was sentenced to a 36-month prison term after being found guilty of encouraging a 13-year-old schoolgirl to take explicit 'selfie' photographs of her private parts. The investigation into this case revealed that his computer contained chat logs and images that served as evidence of his misconduct. Further analysis uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent photographs depicting a young girl, some of which showed her being sexually assaulted over a period of several years, beginning when she was just one year old. These images were not only kept on his device but also distributed online to other paedophiles, highlighting the extent of his depravity.

By late 2017, McGerty had moved to Waggon Road in Ayr, continuing his criminal activities. His previous convictions and ongoing offenses have cast a dark shadow over his reputation and have led to his placement on the sex offenders register for a decade, with strict monitoring of his internet activity for five years to prevent further abuse or the deletion of his online history.

Earlier, in November 2014, McGerty, then residing on Seaforth Road in Ayr, was sentenced to seven months in prison after admitting to grooming a 13-year-old girl on Facebook. Under the false identity of 'Brian John,' he pressured the young girl into sending intimate photographs and threatened to share these images with her friends if she refused to comply further. The police traced his online conversations to his former address on Oswald Road in Ayr and to Spirit Aero-systems in Prestwick, where he was employed as a maintenance mechanic. The court heard that between May 1 and July 31 of that year, McGerty repeatedly encouraged the girl to take explicit photos, escalating his demands over time.

His solicitor, Steven Maxwell, expressed remorse, stating that McGerty was regretful about the impact of his actions on the girl and that his personal life had been significantly affected, including the end of his marriage. Maxwell also noted that McGerty had cooperated fully with authorities, admitting to his guilt during police interviews and discussions.

During sentencing, Sheriff Norman McFadyen condemned McGerty’s actions as deliberate and serious, emphasizing the gravity of instructing an impressionable child to produce indecent images. The sheriff determined that only a custodial sentence was appropriate, starting with a proposed 10 months, which was reduced to seven months. Additionally, McGerty was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and to undergo monitoring of his internet access for five years, during which he would be prohibited from deleting his online history.

These cases underscore the ongoing threat posed by individuals like McGerty, whose predatory behavior has caused significant harm to vulnerable minors. The legal system’s response aims to protect the community and prevent further offenses, but the scars left by such crimes remain deeply troubling for all involved.