ANDREW ANDERSON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN AYRSHIRE AND KILMARNOCK

A man identified as Andrew Anderson has been convicted of a serious sexual assault involving a 15-year-old girl in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, and has been subjected to a lifelong restriction order due to the grave threat he poses to women and children. The incident, which took place in the town centre during the nighttime hours, resulted in Anderson being found guilty of attempting to rape the young girl after a harrowing ordeal.

According to court proceedings, Anderson, aged 40, engaged in a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior towards the teenager. Prosecutors detailed how he repeatedly pressed her for kisses, instructed her to lie on the ground, and then lay beside her in a manner that was clearly inappropriate. The court heard that he placed his hand inside her lower clothing, pulled her towards him, and persistently asked her to engage in sexual intercourse. His actions culminated in a sexual assault, which the girl managed to escape from through quick thinking and presence of mind. It was only thanks to her alertness that she was able to evade further harm and alert nearby police officers who were patrolling the area.

During the sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, October 3, Lord Matthews emphasized the bravery of the young victim. He stated, "It was only with great presence of mind that she managed to trick you and escape from your clutches before alerting police officers who were patrolling nearby." The judge also highlighted the severity of Anderson’s criminal history, which includes a previous conviction for raping a 13-year-old girl in 2006, for which he received a six-year prison sentence. Additionally, Anderson was convicted of raping two other women and indecently assaulting a third at residences in Cumnock and Kilmarnock, leading to his placement on an Order for Lifelong Restriction at the High Court in Glasgow in 2018.

However, that conviction was later quashed in 2019 after the Court of Appeal in Edinburgh determined that the legal application of the Moorov doctrine, a rule used in sex cases for corroboration, had been incorrect. Anderson, who has claimed to have children with “nine or ten different women,” reportedly attempted to sue prosecutors for damages caused during his wrongful imprisonment, but legal representatives refused to take on his case. He alleged that his time behind bars negatively impacted his personal relationships, and he claimed that possessions such as a PlayStation and television disappeared during his incarceration. Furthermore, he expressed frustration over being unable to attend funerals of loved ones during his imprisonment.

A woman involved in the case expressed her disgust at Anderson’s pursuit of compensation, describing her feelings as “disgusted” that he was seeking financial redress. It remains unclear whether Anderson took any further legal action. Since November 2022, he has been in custody, and due to another prison sentence during that period, his current sentence is set to run from November 23, 2023.

Lord Matthews, in his sentencing remarks, described Anderson as a “persistent offender” with a lengthy criminal record. He ordered a comprehensive Risk Assessment Report, which he described as the most pessimistic he had ever read, underscoring the significant danger Anderson poses to vulnerable women, adolescent females, and young girls. The judge concluded that the only appropriate measure to protect the public was to impose an Order for Lifelong Restriction. This order includes a minimum period of three years before Anderson can apply for parole, though release will only occur when it is deemed safe.

Furthermore, Anderson was mandated to register as a sex offender indefinitely, and Scottish Ministers will be notified of his conviction. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing threat he presents to society, especially to women and children in Ayrshire and beyond.