MARK PETTIGREW SALTCOATS SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT ON CAMERA RAPING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL ON CYCLE PATH

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Saltcoats and the wider Ayrshire region, Mark Pettigrew, aged 19, was convicted of heinous sexual assault against a young girl. The incident took place on a cycle path between Galston and Hurlford in Ayrshire, where Pettigrew was caught on camera raping a 13-year-old girl. The footage, which was shown to the court, depicted Pettigrew on top of the motionless girl, an image that has left many viewers deeply unsettled.

According to court proceedings, Pettigrew had approached the young girl and offered her alcohol before the assault. The incident occurred on August 9 of the previous year, and it was during this act that a cyclist passing by happened to record the disturbing scene. The footage was deemed 'unpleasant, but necessary viewing' by the prosecutor, Greg Farrell, who emphasized the importance of the evidence in establishing Pettigrew’s guilt.

Jurors heard that Pettigrew was already on bail at the time of the attack, having previously been involved in other serious offenses. He was under court orders for raping a 15-year-old girl and engaging in underage sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl. Despite these prior convictions, Pettigrew denied the allegations, claiming that the girl had been the one to pester him and that she had used explicit language to solicit his attention.

However, the prosecution dismissed these claims as 'patently nonsense,' pointing out that the young girl was visibly intoxicated and vulnerable at the time of the assault. The court was told that a Good Samaritan, witnessing the disheveled state of the girl, had taken her into their care and driven her home. When she arrived, she was so distressed that she collapsed into her mother’s arms. The girl was able to tell her mother that she had not wanted what happened to her, highlighting her distress and unwillingness.

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Pettigrew had a history of sexual offenses. In 2018 and 2019, he repeatedly engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl in Saltcoats, despite being under court orders to stay away from her. At one point, he even flouted a court order designed to prevent contact with her. Additionally, in April 2019, Pettigrew was convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl in Saltcoats. During the trial, he claimed that the girl had 'forced' herself on him, asserting that they did not have sex, a claim the court found dubious.

Judge Lord Burns deferred sentencing to allow for reports to be prepared, but confirmed that Pettigrew has been placed on the sex offenders register. The case underscores the ongoing issues of youth sexual exploitation and the dangers posed by repeat offenders who continue to offend despite prior convictions and court orders. Pettigrew’s actions have not only led to his conviction but have also raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the current legal measures in protecting vulnerable young people in Ayrshire.