Darren Bourn Sentenced to 11 Years for Sexual Assaults in Stenhousemuir and Edinburgh
| Red Rose Database
Stenhousemuir Rapist
A man identified as Darren Bourn, aged 31, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence following his conviction for multiple serious sexual offences committed in Stenhousemuir and Edinburgh. The sentencing took place at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Judge Norman McFadyen presided over the case, which involved disturbing acts of sexual violence against a teenage girl and inappropriate conduct towards older women.
In a detailed and stern judgment, Judge McFadyen described the events of that summer evening in July 2021, which culminated in Bourn’s conviction. The judge emphasized that Bourn was found guilty of three grave sexual offences, all committed within a single night. The first victim, a 71-year-old woman, was out for a walk near her home when Bourn approached her. Initially engaging her in what appeared to be innocent conversation, he soon shifted to making indecent inquiries and suggesting she accompany him into a nearby grassy area with trees. The elderly woman, displaying quick wit and presence of mind, refused his advances and hurried to a friend’s house to escape his pursuit. Her alarm was so profound that she contacted the police to report the incident.
Meanwhile, Bourn’s actions did not cease. He approached a group of children in a park, which was not on his usual route home, and engaged them in conversation. During this encounter, he managed to cadge a cigarette from the children. Among this group was the 14-year-old girl who would later become his most serious victim. She expressed her desire to buy more cigarettes but was too young to do so legally. Bourn offered to accompany her to a shop, and during this trip, he made a grossly indecent remark to an older woman at the checkout. After purchasing cigarettes, he insisted on walking with the girl, despite her protests, and led her into a wooded area within a park.
It was there that Bourn committed the most heinous acts. He kissed the girl and engaged in indecent acts before raping her, despite her protests and her repeated insistence that she was only fourteen. Her screams, which were heard by a nearby house’s occupant and her worried parents, prompted a police call. Her parents, concerned about her prolonged absence and unresponsive phone, tracked her location via an app and found her in a hysterical state in the wooded area. Bourn, after fulfilling his purpose, had simply left the scene and headed further into the woods.
During police interviews, Bourn initially suggested that the girl’s actions had coerced him, but at trial, he provided a less convincing explanation, denying such claims. The impact of his actions has been profound, especially on the young victim, affecting her confidence and well-being. The social work report prepared for the case classified Bourn as a high-risk offender based on the risk assessment for adult male sex offenders.
His criminal record prior to these offences was relatively minor, including charges related to reckless or negligent driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of drugs in South Africa, and driving while unfit in Scotland, for which he was fined in 2020. Additionally, he served 80 days in custody in February 2022 for threatening, abusive behavior, and vandalism. The report also indicated issues with alcohol and possibly drugs, although Bourn claimed he had not used illicit substances on the day of the offences.
In sentencing, Judge McFadyen acknowledged Bourn’s background but emphasized the gravity of his crimes. The judge highlighted Bourn’s troubling pattern of sexualized behavior towards females of varying ages, all strangers, which was consistent with the high-risk assessment. To protect the public, the court imposed an extended sentence of eleven years, divided into an immediate custodial period of eight years, backdated to August 25, 2021, accounting for time already served. The second part of the sentence involves a three-year extension on license, during which Bourn must adhere to conditions set by the Scottish Ministers. Failure to comply could result in revocation of his license and re-imprisonment.
For the other charges—communicating indecently with two older women—Bourn received two-year concurrent sentences, to run alongside the primary sentence. The court also mandated that Bourn be subject to indefinite notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct post-release. The judge’s decision reflects a firm stance on safeguarding the community from a man whose actions have caused significant harm and distress to his victims.
In a detailed and stern judgment, Judge McFadyen described the events of that summer evening in July 2021, which culminated in Bourn’s conviction. The judge emphasized that Bourn was found guilty of three grave sexual offences, all committed within a single night. The first victim, a 71-year-old woman, was out for a walk near her home when Bourn approached her. Initially engaging her in what appeared to be innocent conversation, he soon shifted to making indecent inquiries and suggesting she accompany him into a nearby grassy area with trees. The elderly woman, displaying quick wit and presence of mind, refused his advances and hurried to a friend’s house to escape his pursuit. Her alarm was so profound that she contacted the police to report the incident.
Meanwhile, Bourn’s actions did not cease. He approached a group of children in a park, which was not on his usual route home, and engaged them in conversation. During this encounter, he managed to cadge a cigarette from the children. Among this group was the 14-year-old girl who would later become his most serious victim. She expressed her desire to buy more cigarettes but was too young to do so legally. Bourn offered to accompany her to a shop, and during this trip, he made a grossly indecent remark to an older woman at the checkout. After purchasing cigarettes, he insisted on walking with the girl, despite her protests, and led her into a wooded area within a park.
It was there that Bourn committed the most heinous acts. He kissed the girl and engaged in indecent acts before raping her, despite her protests and her repeated insistence that she was only fourteen. Her screams, which were heard by a nearby house’s occupant and her worried parents, prompted a police call. Her parents, concerned about her prolonged absence and unresponsive phone, tracked her location via an app and found her in a hysterical state in the wooded area. Bourn, after fulfilling his purpose, had simply left the scene and headed further into the woods.
During police interviews, Bourn initially suggested that the girl’s actions had coerced him, but at trial, he provided a less convincing explanation, denying such claims. The impact of his actions has been profound, especially on the young victim, affecting her confidence and well-being. The social work report prepared for the case classified Bourn as a high-risk offender based on the risk assessment for adult male sex offenders.
His criminal record prior to these offences was relatively minor, including charges related to reckless or negligent driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of drugs in South Africa, and driving while unfit in Scotland, for which he was fined in 2020. Additionally, he served 80 days in custody in February 2022 for threatening, abusive behavior, and vandalism. The report also indicated issues with alcohol and possibly drugs, although Bourn claimed he had not used illicit substances on the day of the offences.
In sentencing, Judge McFadyen acknowledged Bourn’s background but emphasized the gravity of his crimes. The judge highlighted Bourn’s troubling pattern of sexualized behavior towards females of varying ages, all strangers, which was consistent with the high-risk assessment. To protect the public, the court imposed an extended sentence of eleven years, divided into an immediate custodial period of eight years, backdated to August 25, 2021, accounting for time already served. The second part of the sentence involves a three-year extension on license, during which Bourn must adhere to conditions set by the Scottish Ministers. Failure to comply could result in revocation of his license and re-imprisonment.
For the other charges—communicating indecently with two older women—Bourn received two-year concurrent sentences, to run alongside the primary sentence. The court also mandated that Bourn be subject to indefinite notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct post-release. The judge’s decision reflects a firm stance on safeguarding the community from a man whose actions have caused significant harm and distress to his victims.