JOHN REID FROM BATHGATE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS IN CUMBERNAULD AND KILSYTH

In December 2016, a disturbing case involving John Reid, a 31-year-old man from Bathgate, West Lothian, culminated in his sentencing for a series of heinous crimes committed against young girls in the towns of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. Reid, a British Aerospace engineer, appeared in Airdrie Sheriff Court, showing no visible emotion as he faced the judge. Sheriff Morag Galbraith sentenced him to four years in prison, emphasizing the severity of his actions. The sheriff also announced that upon his release, Reid would serve an additional three-year extended sentence on licence, reflecting the aggravating circumstances of his offences, which were committed in the presence of other children.

Prosecutor Gordon Crawford revealed that Reid had pleaded guilty to 16 out of the 37 sex-related charges initially brought against him. The case detailed a disturbing pattern of grooming and exploitation involving young girls aged between 10 and 13. According to Crawford, Reid used social media platforms such as Snapchat and Facebook to contact his victims, sending them indecent images, arranging meetings, and engaging in sexual activities during these encounters.

The court heard that Reid’s criminal activities spanned from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, with incidents taking place at various locations including a car park at Cumbernauld train station, the ASDA car park in Cumbernauld, and other areas within the town and its surroundings. Crawford described how Reid added an 11- to 12-year-old girl to social media, instructing her to wear a skirt and high heels, promising to pay her money, and revealing that he was a paedophile. He also sent her an indecent photograph of himself. The girl met Reid at Cumbernauld train station’s car park, accompanied by two friends, and they also met at the ASDA car park and a local bingo hall. During these meetings, Reid was observed sitting in his car, performing sexual acts on himself, while giving cigarettes and money to the children involved.

Further offences occurred between April and May 2015, involving another girl aged 12. Reid added her on Snapchat, asking her to send nude pictures, which she refused. Nonetheless, he sent her indecent images of himself and sexual messages. She later met Reid, who gave her and her friends £20 and cigarettes to share. The court also detailed Reid’s contact with a 10-year-old girl from Cumbernauld, whom he added on Snapchat and Facebook. He sent her messages calling her “beautiful,” and instructed her to dress up in a skirt and high heels. He also caused her to view a sexual image of himself sent via social media.

Reid’s criminal conduct extended to a sexual encounter with a 12-year-old girl from Kilsyth, whom he added on Facebook. He made a video call to her, during which he performed a sexual act on himself while lying on his bed. The girl met Reid in Kilsyth on May 2 of that year but became frightened and ran away. She managed to tell a woman walking her dog about the incident, and later confided in her mother. The court heard that Reid’s next victim was a 13-year-old girl from Kilsyth, whom he contacted through Snapchat and Facebook, falsely claiming she was 14. He exchanged sexual messages with her, further illustrating his predatory behavior. These incidents occurred between April 29 and May 2, 2016.

Following the Kilsyth incident, police obtained a partial vehicle registration number from Reid’s victim, which led to his identification and subsequent arrest on May 4. He was detained for breaching bail conditions that prohibited him from internet communication, unsupervised contact with children under 16, and other restrictions. Authorities seized three computers from Reid’s residence, which contained nearly 500 indecent images of boys and girls aged between eight and 14, some classified as the most severe category of child exploitation material.

Reid admitted to possessing and creating these indecent images between January 8, 2011, and March 19, 2014. His defense counsel, Shelagh McCall QC, acknowledged that Reid had previously been acquitted of a serious sexual offence in an English court. She also noted that Reid was candid about the sexual arousal he experienced from conversations with the girls. As a result of his crimes, Reid was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.