DUMFRIES PAEDOPHILE MARK LAVAN WINS £600 FROM PRISON OVER MISSING POSSESSIONS
| Red Rose Database
Dumfries Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has sparked widespread outrage, Mark Lavan, a convicted sex offender from Dumfries, has successfully secured a financial settlement from prison authorities over the loss of his personal belongings during a transfer.
According to reports, Lavan, aged 25 at the time, initiated legal proceedings seeking £1,500 in compensation after his letters and photographs were misplaced during a move from Saughton Prison in Edinburgh to a facility in Durham.
Despite an initial offer of just £100 from the Scottish Prison Service, Lavan rejected this 'goodwill' gesture and pressed forward with his claim. The out-of-court settlement, believed to be in the region of £500 to £600, was finalized on a Thursday, leaving many campaigners and members of the public furious.
Critics have condemned the deal as 'completely ridiculous,' arguing that it represents a misuse of taxpayer money. One critic remarked, “What a complete waste of tax payers’ money. Mr. Lavan was originally offered a generous £100 by the Scottish Prison Service. For them to give in to his demands and give him almost six times that is completely ridiculous.”
While acknowledging that prisoners are entitled to compensation for lost property, critics emphasize that it is inappropriate for someone convicted of heinous crimes to profit from the system.
Mark Lavan, a former children’s entertainer, was sentenced to nearly five years in prison last March after being convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl. His criminal record also includes a conviction in September 2013 at Aylesbury Crown Court in Buckinghamshire, where he admitted to sex offences involving another underage girl.
The police investigation that led to his arrest uncovered more than 60,000 indecent images stored on his computer, many of which featured the 14-year-old victim. The case was described as 'desperately sad' by Lord Turnbull during Lavan’s sentencing at Edinburgh High Court.
In addition to his sexual offences, Lavan was found to have collected and traded indecent images online, further compounding his criminal profile. His background as a children’s entertainer and his involvement in local theatre in Dumfries, where he helped young performers prepare for pantomimes, have been highlighted in reports.
Local Member of Parliament Elaine Murray expressed her disdain for Lavan’s attempt to claim compensation, calling his bid 'ridiculous.' She stated, “One hundred pounds is quite a lot for the Scottish Prison Service to offer in the first place. It would be absolutely ridiculous if this was entertained. He won’t have £1,500 worth of belongings in prison to lose. I’m pretty sure he has a grudge with the Scottish Prison Service. It looks to me like he’s just after something and he’s looking for a way to make money.”
She also pointed out that this was not Lavan’s first complaint against prison authorities, referencing a previous letter he wrote to MP Russell Brown regarding the sex offenders’ programme in July. Despite his human rights, critics argue that the prison system should not be exploited for personal gain, especially by those convicted of such serious crimes.
According to reports, Lavan, aged 25 at the time, initiated legal proceedings seeking £1,500 in compensation after his letters and photographs were misplaced during a move from Saughton Prison in Edinburgh to a facility in Durham.
Despite an initial offer of just £100 from the Scottish Prison Service, Lavan rejected this 'goodwill' gesture and pressed forward with his claim. The out-of-court settlement, believed to be in the region of £500 to £600, was finalized on a Thursday, leaving many campaigners and members of the public furious.
Critics have condemned the deal as 'completely ridiculous,' arguing that it represents a misuse of taxpayer money. One critic remarked, “What a complete waste of tax payers’ money. Mr. Lavan was originally offered a generous £100 by the Scottish Prison Service. For them to give in to his demands and give him almost six times that is completely ridiculous.”
While acknowledging that prisoners are entitled to compensation for lost property, critics emphasize that it is inappropriate for someone convicted of heinous crimes to profit from the system.
Mark Lavan, a former children’s entertainer, was sentenced to nearly five years in prison last March after being convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl. His criminal record also includes a conviction in September 2013 at Aylesbury Crown Court in Buckinghamshire, where he admitted to sex offences involving another underage girl.
The police investigation that led to his arrest uncovered more than 60,000 indecent images stored on his computer, many of which featured the 14-year-old victim. The case was described as 'desperately sad' by Lord Turnbull during Lavan’s sentencing at Edinburgh High Court.
In addition to his sexual offences, Lavan was found to have collected and traded indecent images online, further compounding his criminal profile. His background as a children’s entertainer and his involvement in local theatre in Dumfries, where he helped young performers prepare for pantomimes, have been highlighted in reports.
Local Member of Parliament Elaine Murray expressed her disdain for Lavan’s attempt to claim compensation, calling his bid 'ridiculous.' She stated, “One hundred pounds is quite a lot for the Scottish Prison Service to offer in the first place. It would be absolutely ridiculous if this was entertained. He won’t have £1,500 worth of belongings in prison to lose. I’m pretty sure he has a grudge with the Scottish Prison Service. It looks to me like he’s just after something and he’s looking for a way to make money.”
She also pointed out that this was not Lavan’s first complaint against prison authorities, referencing a previous letter he wrote to MP Russell Brown regarding the sex offenders’ programme in July. Despite his human rights, critics argue that the prison system should not be exploited for personal gain, especially by those convicted of such serious crimes.