DARREN BOYD: BELFAST, GLASGOW, AND NEWTOWNARDS' NOTORIOUS CHILD PREDATOR ON THE RUN

In March 2022, a disturbing case involving Darren Boyd, a man with a long history of sexual offenses, came to light in Glasgow. Boyd, who has connections to Belfast, Glasgow, and Newtownards, was caught in Pollok Country Park engaging in illegal activities that posed a significant threat to children.

He was observed using a covert pen camera to take photographs of dogs and unsuspecting park visitors, including children on swings. This incident occurred between March and August 2021, during which Boyd repeatedly violated the strict conditions of his sexual offenders' order, which explicitly prohibited him from possessing recording devices and entering public parks.

Boyd, aged 46 at the time, was apprehended after authorities conducted a routine unannounced visit to his residence on August 31, 2021. During the visit, he presented officers with a picture of a dog he was caring for and showed them the pen-style camera connected to his computer. It was revealed that Boyd had been in Pollok Country Park during the period of his breach, despite the restrictions.

Prosecutor Sarah Latta detailed the findings, stating that investigators discovered 120 files containing both still images and videos captured by Boyd’s high-definition camera pen. These files included footage of people on swings and images of the dog, which Boyd had been photographing. The owner of the dog was traced and confirmed that Boyd and the dog had visited two other parks on approximately 100 occasions.

Further examination revealed that Boyd’s camera was capable of recording high-quality video and audio, making his activities particularly invasive and dangerous. The evidence pointed to a pattern of voyeurism and potential predatory behavior, raising serious concerns about Boyd’s ongoing threat to the community.

Boyd, who has a notorious past, was previously sentenced to 12 years in Northern Ireland for horrific sexual assaults committed in 1996. During that time, he subjected two young boys, aged five and nine, to brutal abuse, including chaining them up and forcing them to watch him commit acts of sexual violence. He also took photographs and videos of the abuse, which remain unrecovered to this day. Boyd’s heinous crimes led to two 12-year sentences for buggery, along with additional sentences for indecent assault and gross indecency.

In a related development, it has been reported that Boyd, who is now 26, fled to Scotland after his release from Magilligan Prison, seeking to escape the consequences of his past. However, he was eventually back in Belfast, where he is believed to be staying at a hostel for sex offenders in the city center. This return was reportedly prompted by threats from supporters of loyalist paramilitaries in Scotland, who issued death threats against him.

A senior police source emphasized the ongoing danger Boyd poses, describing him as a highly intelligent and manipulative individual capable of reoffending. The source warned that Boyd’s ability to change appearances and his frequent movement make him difficult to track, and expressed concern that he could use his computer skills to lure new victims.

Boyd’s history of violence and predatory behavior underscores the serious threat he continues to pose to children and the community at large. Authorities remain vigilant, but his ability to evade detection remains a significant challenge, especially given his history and current whereabouts in Belfast.