RYAN MABON FROM BERWICKSHIRE ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE VILE SEXUAL ABUSES ON YOUNG GIRLS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Berwickshire, Ryan Mabon, who now goes by Ryan Scott, was involved in a series of heinous sexual offenses against young girls spanning several years. Mabon, who was only 13 years old when he first began targeting victims, was even charged with assaulting a young girl at the tender age of nine. His predatory behavior continued into his teenage years, with allegations of multiple assaults and sexual abuses involving minors.

Despite admitting to a string of vile assaults on two young girls, the 19-year-old Mabon was surprisingly spared from serving time behind bars during his sentencing in 2011. This decision has sparked outrage among the victims' families and the local community, who feel that justice has not been fully served.

One of the victims' fathers expressed his anguish, stating, “Behind bars, my daughter and other females were safe. Now they’re not. Why is he not tagged? Where’s his curfew?” The mother of the girl added a heartbreaking comment, emphasizing the long-term impact of Mabon’s actions: “He has been attacking girls for years — and he’ll never stop. He’s devious and clever. He befriends the family and gets such a psychological hold on the girls they won’t dare say what’s happening. He’s got away with the worst attacks you can do and shattered our lives forever. How am I supposed to tell my little girl the boy who has ruined her life is walking the streets?”

Mabon was formally charged with abusing a 15-year-old girl over a period from 2001 to 2009, when she was between five and 13 years old. Additionally, he faced accusations of raping and abusing another girl aged 11 to 13 from 2007 to 2009. However, after reaching a plea bargain, the rape charge was dropped and replaced with a charge of unlawful sexual activity. The timeline of the allegations involving the 15-year-old was also adjusted, moving from 2001 to 2005.

The case against Mabon came to light after one of his victims broke down during a religious education class in November 2009 and disclosed her traumatic experience. Her mother recounted, “Police and social workers got involved immediately, and from there, other girls came forward with similar stories.” She further revealed that Mabon initially admitted to the offenses when arrested, but due to legal procedures requiring a lawyer’s presence, his confession was deemed inadmissible in court.

In December 2009, Mabon appeared at Duns Sheriff Court and was granted bail on the condition that he did not approach anyone under 16 without supervision. However, he was remanded four months later after allegedly breaching this bail, though his plea of not guilty to that specific charge was accepted. Mabon remained incarcerated until he was released by Lord Pentland at the High Court in Edinburgh on the day of the sentencing in 2011.

The judge overseeing his case condemned his actions, stating, “You had unlawful sex with one of your victims and you took advantage of your vulnerable victims for your sexual gratification.” As part of his sentence, Mabon was placed on probation for three years, prohibited from accessing the internet without prior approval, and his name was added to the sex offenders’ register. The community and victims’ families continue to grapple with the aftermath of his crimes, questioning the adequacy of the justice served in this troubling case.