ASHLEY BELL FROM HAWICK FACES SERIOUS CHARGES OVER CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SCOTLAND

In July 2020, a disturbing case involving Ashley Bell, a 37-year-old resident of Hawick, came to light as he awaited sentencing for serious breaches of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. Bell was convicted on three separate occasions of engaging in illegal and inappropriate communications with minors, raising significant concerns about his conduct and the safety of young people in the Hawick area.

Bell's legal proceedings are scheduled to conclude at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, August 17. The charges against him include deliberately sending sexual messages to a child under the age of 13, as well as engaging in indecent communication with a minor under 16. Additionally, he is accused of communicating indecently with an adult, further complicating his case. The court has deferred his sentencing, pending further review of the evidence and circumstances surrounding his actions.

At present, Ashley Bell remains in custody, having been remanded in connection with another serious allegation. This involves an accusation of indecently communicating with a child under 16, coupled with a failure to notify police within three days of a change in his circumstances, which is a breach of legal obligations. Bell has not entered a plea in this particular case and has been fully committed for trial, indicating the gravity of the charges he faces.

Historical incidents further highlight Bell’s troubling behavior. On September 15, 2017, he was reportedly seen outside Hawick High School during break time, raising concerns about his presence near a school environment and potential risks to students. This incident added to the growing list of concerns about his conduct in the community.

Back in May 2015, Bell’s actions led to his placement on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of three years. This followed an investigation into his online activities, where he was found to have sent messages of a sexual nature to a 14-year-old girl via social media. Bell, then 31 years old and residing on Earl Street in Hawick, was also sentenced to a three-year Community Payback Order as part of his punishment.

During a court hearing at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, prosecutors revealed that Bell had been communicating with young females on Facebook, with authorities discovering approximately 500 private messages. Many of these messages contained sexually explicit content, including a particularly concerning exchange with a 14-year-old girl. Prosecutor Graham Fraser expressed alarm over Bell’s behavior, stating, “There was some concern about his behaviour contacting young females on Facebook. There were 500 private messages, several of a sexually explicit nature, and one particular conversation in the course of which the girl said she was 14.”

Further details from the court revealed that Bell made inappropriate remarks during the exchanges, telling the girl “you don’t know what kind of weirdos are out there,” and asking if it was her bedtime. He also inquired whether she had “been to bed with a man” and whether she felt “horny.” When the girl asked Bell what he looked like, he responded boastfully, claiming he was “fit and sexy” and had a “big c**k,” demonstrating a blatant disregard for boundaries and the law.

These incidents underscore the serious nature of Ashley Bell’s actions and the ongoing legal proceedings against him. The community in Hawick remains vigilant as authorities continue to address the risks posed by individuals involved in such criminal behavior, especially when minors are targeted or exploited.