IRVINE CHILD RAPIST GARY DRYDEN FACES COURT IN KILWINNING AND GLASGOW

In September 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving Gary Dryden, a man from Irvine, who engaged in a heinous series of sexual offenses against a young girl in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire. The case drew significant attention due to the severity of the crimes and the subsequent legal proceedings that spanned over several years.

Dryden, then aged 17, initiated contact with a 12-year-old girl through Facebook, a social media platform that has increasingly become a conduit for criminal activity involving minors. The interaction quickly escalated as Dryden persuaded the young girl to meet him in person at a secluded area near a sports centre in Kilwinning. During this meeting, he committed multiple acts of sexual assault, at least seven times, which ultimately resulted in the girl becoming pregnant.

The court heard that Dryden's actions were premeditated and manipulative. He deliberately sought out the young girl online, knowing her age, and developed a sexual relationship with her under false pretenses. DNA testing later confirmed that Dryden was the father of the child, a fact that added to the gravity of his crimes. The girl, overwhelmed and frightened, confided in her parents, which led to her undergoing a medical termination of the pregnancy. The legal proceedings revealed that she was nearly 12 weeks pregnant at the time of the termination.

In April 2018, Dryden was brought before the High Court in Glasgow, where he pled guilty to the charges of rape and sexual assault. Judge Lord Burns sentenced him to two years and ten months in prison. The court acknowledged the seriousness of his offenses, emphasizing that Dryden had intentionally targeted a vulnerable child and had developed a sexual relationship with her. The judge also noted that, had Dryden not pleaded guilty early, he could have faced a sentence of up to three and a half years.

Further complicating his case, Dryden was assessed as being at a high risk of re-offending. As part of his sentence, a Sexual Offences Prevention Order was considered, which could include monitoring his computer use and other restrictions aimed at preventing future offenses.

In addition to his initial conviction, Dryden's behavior continued to cause concern. Last week, he appeared in Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after admitting to breaching his bail conditions while awaiting trial for the same offenses. It was revealed that Dryden, now aged 20, had failed to inform police that he was using a false name, Scott Harvey, during his bail period. He also admitted to behaving in a threatening manner, which caused fear and alarm among those present, including shouting and swearing.

The court heard that Dryden's actions and breaches of bail conditions prompted further legal proceedings, and he is scheduled to return to court next month for additional hearings. His case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online grooming and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable minors from predatory individuals like Dryden.

In a related incident in November 2017, just hours after Dryden was convicted and released on bail, a 13-year-old girl who had been a victim of his sexual assault encountered him in a shop in Irvine. The girl, who had previously been made pregnant by Dryden, was visibly distressed and frightened by the sight of her attacker. Her family expressed outrage over the court's decision to release Dryden before sentencing, criticizing the lack of immediate protective measures for the victims.

The case of Gary Dryden underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and judicial authorities in dealing with sexual offenses involving minors. It highlights the critical need for vigilance, proper monitoring, and swift justice to protect children from predators operating both online and in person.