PHILIP BORLAND'S REIGN OF TERROR IN CUMNOCK AND KILMARNOCK ENDS WITH JAIL SENTENCE

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning several years, Philip Borland, a man originally from Kilmarnock and with connections to Cumnock, has once again found himself behind bars following violations of his parole conditions and the terms of his sex offender registration. Borland, aged 22, was initially convicted in 2008 for heinous crimes committed against two young girls, crimes that began when he was only 13 years old.

His original sentence of six years was handed down after the High Court in Edinburgh found him guilty of multiple charges, including repeated rape and sexual assault of the victims, who were just 10 and 11 years old at the time. The abuse took place over a three-year period, with Borland targeting the girls at various addresses in Ayrshire. During the trial, it was revealed that Borland had begun his offending spree at a very young age, and his actions caused significant trauma to the victims.

Following his conviction, Borland was granted parole last year under strict conditions. These conditions explicitly prohibited him from using social media platforms and mandated that he inform police of any change of address. Despite these restrictions, Borland was found to have violated his parole by accessing Facebook under a false name, Philip Denny, and failing to notify authorities of his change of residence. This breach was uncovered after a concerned father reported to Kilmarnock police that his teenage daughter was in a relationship with Borland.

In March, Borland appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, where he admitted to breaching the terms of his early release license by using Facebook and not informing police of his new address. The court was also informed that Borland had failed to officially notify authorities of his change of residence, instead providing inconsistent accounts, such as spending nights in a bus garage or at his father's home. His behavior raised serious concerns about his compliance and risk to the community.

Further complicating his case, police discovered Borland's Facebook profile under the alias 'Philip Denny,' which he used to maintain contact and access social media despite the restrictions placed upon him. During the hearing, his legal representative, Kevin McCarron, confirmed that Borland was still under the jurisdiction of the High Court's sentence and had been recalled to prison by the parole board. The court was told that Borland's re-release was effectively revoked, and he was to serve the remainder of his sentence.

On Wednesday, Borland was brought before the High Court in Edinburgh once again, where temporary judge Michael O’Grady QC emphasized the importance of protecting the public from individuals like Borland. The judge ordered that Borland serve 699 days in custody, underscoring the seriousness of his breaches and the ongoing risk he posed. The court also called for a social work report to better assess his rehabilitation prospects.

Prior to these recent events, Borland's criminal history was marked by his early and repeated sexual offenses. In 2008, he was convicted of four counts of rape committed at various residences in Kilmarnock, with the crimes beginning when he was just 13 years old. His victims, aged 10 and 11, endured threats, forced sexual acts, and repeated assaults over a span of three years. The severity of his crimes was acknowledged by the court, which sentenced him to six years in a young offenders' institution, with an additional two years of supervision upon release.

In September 2012, Borland was living in the Peden Court Hostel in Cumnock, having been released on parole. However, his behavior soon raised alarms, as he failed to attend the hostel and was seen drinking and staying out late. Despite warnings that his conduct could lead to revocation of his parole, Borland was given a second chance and moved to St Andrews Hostel in Kilmarnock. Unfortunately, he did not officially register his new address with police, further breaching his conditions.

His troubling conduct escalated in November when a father reported to Kilmarnock police that his 16-year-old daughter was in a relationship with Borland. Police found Borland at his home with the girl, and he was instructed to cease all contact. The girl later confirmed to officers that she was aware of Borland's real name and that he had been using the alias 'Philip Denny' to avoid detection on Facebook. Authorities were able to access his social media profile under that name, revealing his continued attempts to maintain contact despite restrictions.

Throughout these proceedings, Borland's defense argued that he remained under the jurisdiction of the High Court's original sentence and that the decision to recall him to prison was justified. His case was adjourned until April 10, pending a social work report. The history of Borland's offenses and breaches underscores the ongoing danger he poses, and the courts have made it clear that public safety must take precedence. His case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant monitoring and strict enforcement of parole conditions for sex offenders in the Kilmarnock and Cumnock areas.