GEORGE FREEMAN SHOCKING SEX OFFENDER SCANDAL IN GLASGOW PORT GLASGOW BOWLING CLUB
In a disturbing case that has rocked the community of Port Glasgow, George Freeman, a well-known figure within the local bowling scene, has been exposed as a sex offender following revelations of inappropriate communications with a 15-year-old boy.Freeman, aged 69, who previously served as the president of the Port Glasgow Bowling Club, has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register after admitting to sending explicit and suggestive text messages to the young teenager.
According to court records, the troubling exchanges began in August of the previous year, with Freeman using the boy’s mobile phone number—obtained through arrangements for bowling matches—to initiate contact.
The messages included disturbing comments such as Freeman expressing his love for the boy and asking whether he had been ‘abusing’ himself.
The court heard that Freeman also sent a message saying, “Love you to bits,” and added, “Don’t be offended when I give you a hug and a peck, it’s my affection for you.” Further messages from Freeman included inappropriate remarks like, “Hope you have not been lying in bed abusing yourself, although it makes you feel good,” which caused significant distress to the young recipient.
The teenager, confused and upset, did not respond to these messages, and his mother, upon learning of the situation, confided in her GP, prompting police involvement.
The investigation revealed that Freeman’s conduct extended beyond text messaging, as he was also charged with engaging in sexual activity by sitting inappropriately close to the boy during a club bus trip to Largs, hugging him, and kissing him on the ear.
However, Freeman’s not guilty plea to this particular charge was accepted by the Crown, and he was not prosecuted for these acts.
During the court proceedings, Freeman admitted to the court that he had intentionally sent the sexualized messages and engaged in conversations of a sexual nature.
Despite this, he maintained that his actions were innocent and dismissed the incident as “just banter.” When questioned about his behavior following his conviction, Freeman claimed, “I’m just not like that.
I’m not a threat to anyone,” and insisted that he only encouraged the boy to participate in club activities to help him socialize, as he believed the boy was often left alone at the club.
His conviction led to Freeman being ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of five years.
He was also fined £450, with an order to pay the fine at £20 weekly.
Freeman’s legal team attempted to argue for leniency, with his lawyer claiming that the court’s decision was a “stitch-up” and that Freeman was “held in very high esteem” by many in the community.
Duncan Sorrie, a fellow committee member of the Port Glasgow Bowling Club, publicly defended Freeman, describing him as a “proper gentleman” and expressing disbelief that the case had gone to court.
Sorrie stated, “I think George was stitched up.
We think he is a proper gentleman.
He pleaded guilty but why it ever went to court I do not know.
Everything is fine with the junior members and their parents.” However, not everyone within the club shared this view.
An anonymous bowler expressed outrage, stating, “His behavior is shocking.
He should be barred or expelled, but he still goes to the club.
The committee are actually backing him, and everything goes hush-hush when anyone asks about him.
We’ve been told various stories, including that the judge changed his mind and admonished him.
I’m told that the boy he sent messages to is going to resign from the club.
The boy shouldn’t even be in that position; it should be Freeman who does the decent thing and leaves.” In response to the controversy, club secretary Sandy Wotherspoon confirmed that Freeman would remain a member but refused to disclose details of any disciplinary action taken.
Wotherspoon stated, “The club had a meeting last week during which the matter was discussed, and we made a decision which will remain private.
Mr Freeman doesn’t remain a member regardless — he has been reprimanded, but we are a private members club, and this will remain confidential.
We have looked at the matter and dealt with it appropriately.” The court case also revealed that Freeman’s inappropriate conduct began in August of the previous year, with the sending of offensive messages and gestures.
The court heard that Freeman responded with a hand gesture when the boy asked about the meaning of Freeman’s message regarding ‘abusing’ himself.
Freeman’s actions, including sitting close to the boy on a club bus trip and kissing him on the ear, were deemed to have a significant sexual aspect by Sheriff Thomas Ward, who rejected Freeman’s plea for leniency.
Freeman was convicted and automatically placed on the Sex Offenders Register, with the duration of his registration to be determined at sentencing scheduled for February 12.
When questioned about his guilty plea, Freeman insisted that his messages were innocent and dismissed the allegations as “stupid.” He claimed, “I couldn’t do anything else, but it was just banter.
I’m not interested in anything like that.
I’m just not like that.” Despite his assertions, the court’s judgment was clear that his conduct was inappropriate and had a significant sexual component, especially given the age difference and the context of the messages and interactions.
