KEVIN FORD SHOCKS MOTHERWELL AND CRAIGNEUK WITH SEX OFFENSES AGAINST TEEN GIRLS

In February 2014, a disturbing case involving Kevin Ford, a man from Motherwell with ties to Craigneuk, came to light, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior towards two young girls. The victims, who were only nine and 13 years old at the time of the incidents, have expressed their relief that Ford has finally been held accountable, despite the fact that he was only given a supervision order rather than a custodial sentence.

Both girls recounted their experiences of being targeted by Ford at an address located on Flaxmill Avenue in Craigneuk. The younger girl, then just nine years old and asleep in her bed, was approached by Ford, who whispered disturbing words to her. He reportedly said, “I know you are awake. Don’t kid on that you aren’t. Come to my house and I’ll show you what a good time is. I can’t wait till you are 16 and you can come and lie in my bed.” These comments, made on separate occasions over a span of five years, left a lasting impact on the young girl.

Years later, Ford’s inappropriate behavior continued when he expressed his feelings to the older girl, then 13. He told her he loved her and invited her to his home. In explicit language, he conveyed a desire to have sex with her, further crossing boundaries and causing emotional distress. The court heard these details during the proceedings.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court, on a Tuesday, 29-year-old Kevin Ford, who now resides in Motherwell, was sentenced to be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of three years. During this time, he will be under the supervision of social workers, ensuring monitoring of his behavior and compliance with the court’s orders. Despite the girls’ wishes for Ford to be imprisoned, the court’s decision was based on the severity and nature of his actions, which the judge deemed not sufficiently serious to warrant a jail sentence.

Both victims, now teenagers, expressed mixed feelings about the outcome. They stated that while Ford is not behind bars, they felt a sense of justice in seeing their accounts validated in court. The younger girl reflected, “He’s not in jail, but at least he has been found guilty and sentenced for what he did. That was the main thing. We both remember what he said to each of us very clearly.”

The older girl, now 15, recounted her experience from last summer when she was in a back garden. She described how Ford commented on her shorts and ran his house key along her leg, leaving scratches. She said, “When I noticed scratches he’d left on my skin I said: ‘Look at those scratches you’ve put on me.’ He responded: ‘Don’t worry– you’ll get more when you’re older.’” She further revealed that Ford told her he thought she was pretty, loved her, and invited her to his house. She also recounted that he later told her he wanted to have sex with her.

During the court proceedings, Sheriff Small, who last month found Ford guilty of the charges despite his continued denial, described Ford’s actions as “totally distasteful and unpleasant.” However, the sheriff also noted that the incidents were not “significantly serious” enough to justify a custodial sentence, leading to the supervision order instead.

The victims and their family members expressed relief and gratitude that justice was served. They emphasized the importance of speaking out and being believed, hoping that their bravery will encourage other young people to come forward if they find themselves in similar situations. The girls’ willingness to report the incidents and their subsequent support from the court system have been pivotal in addressing this troubling case involving Kevin Ford from Motherwell and Craigneuk.