CONNOR KENNEDY FROM EAST KILBRIDE ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE PLEA FOR SEX WITH TEEN

In November 2020, a disturbing case involving Connor Kennedy, a resident of Montreal Park in East Kilbride, came to light, revealing a pattern of inappropriate and illegal behavior towards minors. Kennedy, aged 23, was found to have engaged in a series of disturbing communications with a 14-year-old girl, which included explicit messages and attempts to meet for sexual activity.

Over a period of six months last year, Kennedy used social media platforms to send the young girl messages of a sexual nature. During these exchanges, he also inquired about her sexual history and made efforts to persuade her to send him photographs of herself in undressed states. These actions demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory behavior directed at a minor, raising serious concerns about his intentions and the safety of the young girl involved.

Following these revelations, Kennedy was brought before Hamilton Sheriff Court, where he admitted to the charges. He pleaded guilty to sending sexually explicit messages via social media and acknowledged his previous conviction for a similar offence, indicating a troubling history of such conduct. Despite the severity of his actions, Kennedy was not sentenced to immediate imprisonment. Instead, the court decided to impose a series of stringent conditions aimed at monitoring and rehabilitating him.

He was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years, a measure designed to keep track of his activities and prevent further harm. Additionally, Kennedy was subjected to a three-year supervision order, which includes mandatory counselling sessions if deemed necessary by the community learning disability team. The court also issued a comprehensive ban on any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 and prohibited him from frequenting locations where children are known to gather, such as schools and playgrounds.

Restrictions on his internet usage were also enforced to prevent further online misconduct. Furthermore, Kennedy was subjected to a four-month electronic tagging order, which requires him to remain within his home between 7 pm and 7 am daily, effectively limiting his movements during nighttime hours. These measures reflect the court’s concern about his potential risk to the community and aim to prevent any recurrence of similar offences.

Earlier in the year, Kennedy’s actions prompted a police search and an appeal for information regarding his whereabouts. On February 15, he fled from his home, prompting Police Scotland to issue a missing persons alert. Fortunately, he was later located and traced safely, alleviating some concerns about his immediate safety and the safety of others.

Kennedy’s criminal history includes a previous arrest in April 2016, when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court. At that time, he denied sending sexual messages to a 12-year-old girl via social media and also denied breaching a court order by approaching and making contact with her at McDonald’s in Hamilton’s Princes Mall. Despite his denials, he was ultimately convicted of the offences, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that has persisted over several years.

While the court acknowledged the seriousness of Kennedy’s actions, the decision to avoid jail time underscores the importance of rehabilitation and supervision in his case. Nonetheless, the measures imposed serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by authorities to protect minors and prevent sexual exploitation within communities like East Kilbride.