RYAN HARROWER SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR BRUTAL CRIMES IN GLENROTHES AND FIFE

A man from Fife, Ryan Harrower, has been handed a life sentence after a series of heinous crimes spanning over 15 years, involving the brutal assault and sexual abuse of women and a young girl. The severity and persistence of his offending have shocked the local communities of Glenrothes and surrounding areas, prompting a stern judicial response.

Harrower, aged 35 at the time of sentencing, began his pattern of violence and sexual misconduct as a teenager. His criminal activities include a disturbing range of offenses such as sexual assault, rape, indecent assault, and violent threats. The court heard that his offending started in 2007 when he was just 17 years old, targeting women in Glenrothes and Cupar. Over the course of five years, he subjected one woman to repeated assaults, which involved sitting on her, punching her on the head, striking her with a bottle, pushing and pulling her, pinning her against walls, and even throttling her to restrict her breathing. During these attacks, Harrower was aggressive, shouting, swearing, and using abusive language, often damaging property in the process.

He also committed repeated acts of molestation against his victim while she was asleep, taking advantage of her inability to consent. The court described these acts as deeply disturbing and indicative of a pattern of predatory behavior.

In addition to these crimes, Harrower was responsible for a second series of violent assaults between 2016 and 2019, targeting another woman, including when she was pregnant. These assaults took place at various addresses in the Cupar area. During these episodes, he used a bottle and an axe to attack her, punched her on the head, and seized her by the neck. His violence escalated further when, in 2019, he subjected her to a violent rape, during which he produced a knife, hit her head off a wooden counter, chased her, repeatedly punched her, and pushed her onto a bed.

The most disturbing aspect of Harrower’s criminal record involves the abuse of a young girl, which began when she was only seven years old. Over the course of 2019 and 2020, he subjected her to ongoing abuse that culminated in rape. His actions included grabbing her by the head and hair and forcing her into sexual acts, causing significant trauma.

Harrower’s criminal activities finally came to an end in April 2022, when he attacked another woman at an address in Laurieston, Falkirk. During this incident, he pinned her to the ground, seized her by the hair, and assaulted her physically. The court noted that Harrower had denied many of the charges during his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh but was ultimately convicted of nine offenses, including rape, indecent assault, assault causing danger to life, and threatening or abusive behavior.

In delivering the sentence, Lord Lake emphasized the findings of a comprehensive expert report, which concluded that Harrower poses a “high risk” of reoffending. The judge stated that, given the circumstances, an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) was appropriate. Harrower was ordered to serve a minimum term of five and a half years in prison, but he will not be eligible for automatic release at that point. Instead, his release will be determined by parole authorities, who will consider public safety and the risk he continues to pose.

Harrower, who has been in custody since April 2022, was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. His defense counsel, Mark Stewart KC, argued that Harrower has not previously served a lengthy prison sentence and has shown signs of stabilization while in custody. Despite this, the court’s decision reflects the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing threat he represents to society.