GERALD EARLY SENTENCED IN AIRDRIE FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE CASE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Airdrie, a man named Gerald Early, aged 43, has been handed a substantial prison sentence after being found guilty of sexually abusing two young children over a period of nearly seven years. The offences, which involved repeated acts of lewd, indecent, and libidinous behavior, were committed against a boy and a girl, both of whom have since come forward to testify against him in court.

Gerald Early's crimes spanned from August 1996 to April 2003, a period during which he systematically exploited the innocence of his young victims. The court proceedings revealed the harrowing details of the abuse, with the victims providing their testimonies via CCTV to protect their identities and to ensure their safety during the trial. The sheriff overseeing the case commended the bravery of the children for speaking out despite the trauma they endured.

The boy, now 16 years old, recounted that the abuse began when he was just six years old. He described a pattern of ongoing molestation that occurred almost every other day, amounting to hundreds of incidents until he reached the age of 11. He explained that Early initially touched him over his clothing, but the abuse escalated over time. The boy also revealed that Early would give him small sums of money—£2 or £3—on a weekly basis in exchange for his silence, emphasizing the manipulative tactics used to keep him quiet.

The girl, who is now 18, also testified about her experiences of indecent assault by Early. She recounted that the abuse took place on multiple occasions between 1996 and 2003. She shared her frustration at having tried to confide in others during her primary school years, around nine years old, but feeling that no one believed her. Her testimony highlighted the prolonged suffering she endured, which continued for another four years after her initial attempts to seek help.

During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Morag Galbraith expressed her condemnation of Early's actions. She stated, “You were convicted by a jury of appalling crimes against young children. The public must be protected against you and the serious harm you have caused these children.” The sheriff also praised the courage of the victims for their evidence and their ability to speak out in court despite the trauma they faced.

As a result of his conviction, Gerald Early was sentenced to four years in prison. Additionally, he received an extended sentence of two years, which will be served consecutively. Furthermore, he was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for an indefinite period, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent any further harm to the community of Airdrie.