HARRY KUSZ PREDATOR FROM KILMARNOCK JAILED FOR CHILD ABDUCTION AND DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR

In August 2016, a disturbing case unfolded in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, involving Harry Kusz, a 36-year-old man whose actions have shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about child safety. Kusz was convicted of abducting a young girl and causing widespread fear among children and their families, with his behavior likened to that of a sinister 'Pied Piper' figure.

According to court reports, Kusz lured children into the woods near Dean Castle Country Park, an area well-known to local residents. The incident involved a seven-year-old girl who was terrified and forcibly taken into the woods by Kusz. The case was particularly alarming because Kusz had a history of criminal charges related to sexual offenses. It was revealed that he had previously faced accusations of raping three girls aged 12 and 13 in remote locations across Ross-shire between 2004 and 2005. However, he was acquitted of those charges and walked free, which added a layer of complexity and concern to his latest conviction.

During the trial, a mother of a young girl recounted her frantic search for her child after Kusz allegedly abducted her. She described how she had been outside her home, watching her daughter play, when suddenly her child disappeared. The mother, aged 28, began calling her daughter’s name and searching the nearby streets. Her distress grew when a neighbor informed her, “Harry’s got her,” a revelation that left her shocked and confused, as she had no prior knowledge of Kusz.

Moments later, she saw her daughter running towards her, looking visibly shaken. The girl was crying and unable to speak initially, but her mother quickly demanded answers. She confronted Kusz, who was present at the scene, and asked him what he was doing with her child. Kusz’s demeanor changed dramatically; witnesses described his face as transforming into one of intense anger. In a frightening display, Kusz swung a dog chain at the mother and threatened her, saying, “The next time you see your mum she’ll be dead,” while making a slashing motion across his throat. This aggressive behavior underscored the danger Kusz posed.

Legal proceedings revealed that Kusz was found guilty of abducting and unlawfully detaining the girl, as well as taking her, along with another seven-year-old boy and two ten-year-old boys, into Dean Castle Country Park. The court heard that Kusz had placed the children in a state of fear and alarm, breaching peace laws in the process. Evidence also showed that Kusz had been drinking tonic wine during the incident and had refused to assist a young boy who became stuck in a gully, leaving him to weep in fear.

Further details from the trial indicated that Kusz had seized the girl’s arm, hoisted her onto his shoulder, and forcibly led her into the woods. Despite these serious allegations, he was acquitted of assaulting the girl and her mother with a dog chain, as well as of attempting to set a dog on a witness and touching the girl’s leg.

A 14-year-old boy who was present at the scene provided testimony about Kusz’s behavior. He described seeing Kusz sitting with children and a dog beside the river, under the influence of alcohol, specifically a bottle of Eldorado wine, which he described as a cheap imitation of Buckfast. The boy recounted how Kusz’s conduct appeared drunken and inappropriate, and how he left a small boy covered in mud and unable to get up from the river. The witness also stated that he and his friend followed Kusz and the girl into the woods, where they saw Kusz sitting with the girl on a log. The teenager expressed concern when Kusz put his hand on her leg, prompting them to intervene.

As the situation escalated, the teenager asked the girl to leave, and Kusz responded, “Yeah, I know, just take her.” The girl’s mother arrived crying, and Kusz was seen shouting at her before threatening further harm, indicating a clear intent to intimidate and harm the children involved.

Judge Elizabeth McFarlane sentenced Kusz to 18 months in prison and ordered that his name be added to the child protection register, marking him as a potential danger to children. The court’s decision was influenced by his prior criminal record, which included a 2006 case at the High Court in Inverness where he was acquitted of multiple charges, including the rape of three girls aged 12 and 13, and other allegations of sexual misconduct involving underage girls. Those charges involved incidents in rural Ross-shire between 2004 and 2005, but Kusz was found not guilty.

Legal sources and community members expressed deep concern over the similarities between Kusz’s past and present behavior. A close associate commented, “The similarities in circumstances between the earlier alleged child rapes and what he has just been convicted of are chilling. He behaved like the Pied Piper to these children who should have felt safe playing outside their homes.”

Overall, the case highlights the ongoing dangers posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from predators like Harry Kusz from Kilmarnock.