PAUL LANG, CARE HOME ABUSER FROM CLYDEBANK AND GLASGOW, TO BE RELEASED EARLY

In a development that has sparked outrage among victims and their families, Paul Lang, a convicted sex offender from Clydebank and Glasgow, is scheduled to be released from prison later this year after serving only half of his sentence. The news has caused significant distress, especially for a mother whose daughter was among the young girls targeted by Lang during his time working in a care home.

Back in November 2013, a jury at Dumbarton Sheriff Court found Paul Lang guilty of multiple heinous offences involving three young girls. The 46-year-old, who was employed as a residential care worker in Clydebank, exploited his position of trust to prey on vulnerable teenagers. Two of his victims were teenage girls residing at a council-operated care facility in Clydebank, where Lang had gained their confidence and manipulated their trust for his own depraved purposes.

The disturbing case came to light when staff members at the children's facility discovered concerning text messages on a mobile phone belonging to one of the girls. These messages, which were later linked to Lang, raised suspicions about his inappropriate conduct. The investigation that followed revealed that Lang had also sexually assaulted a six-year-old girl at a residence in Drumchapel. The assault on the young girl occurred late at night during a house party when her mother was away, and Lang entered her bedroom to commit the abuse.

Despite the mounting evidence, Lang maintained his innocence, claiming that all three victims were fabricating their stories. His denial was met with outrage from the victims' families, especially considering the testimony of the young girl who was only six at the time. She was compelled to recount her traumatic experience over two days in court, a process that was described as distressing and harrowing.

In December, Lang was sentenced to an extended five-year term, which included two years of imprisonment. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register, a standard procedure for such convictions. However, under current regulations, sex offenders who receive sentences between six months and four years are eligible for early release after serving half of their sentence on licence. This means that Lang is expected to be released in approximately ten months, a prospect that has infuriated the mother of one of his victims.

Lang's actions and attitude following his conviction have only added to the public outrage. He continued to deny any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as lies and insisting that his victims were dishonest. His refusal to accept responsibility has been described as a 'slap in the face' to those he harmed.

The case was further complicated by the discovery of incriminating text messages on a mobile device belonging to one of the girls, which was found by two female colleagues at the West Dumbartonshire Council facility. These messages, sent from Lang's personal number, raised immediate alarm and suspicion. The colleagues reported their concerns to their superiors, leading to an investigation that resulted in Lang's suspension from his role, a position he had held since 2008.

Throughout the trial, Lang's defense argued that he was naive and immature, suggesting that his actions—such as buying cigarettes for the children and acting as a chauffeur—were innocent or misguided rather than malicious. His lawyer claimed that Lang's life had been put on hold for over a year and that a fair verdict could help him start anew. However, the jury was unconvinced, finding him guilty of multiple sexual offences against all three girls.

Following the verdict, Sheriff Simon Pender remanded Lang into custody, ordered him to register as a sex offender, and scheduled further assessments, including social work and psychological reports, to evaluate the risk he might pose if released. The case has left many questioning the justice system's approach to early release for sex offenders, especially those convicted of such serious crimes involving children.