CONOR BULL STRANRAER RAPIST ESCAPES JAIL AFTER BREACHING COMMUNITY ORDER IN GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH

In October 2016, Conor Bull, a 19-year-old man from Stranraer, found himself back in legal trouble after breaching the conditions of a community payback order that had been previously imposed upon him. The case, which drew significant attention, involved serious allegations and a complex legal history that underscored the challenges of managing offenders convicted of sexual crimes.

Initially, Bull had been convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl in December 2013. The incident, which took place in the vicinity of Stranraer, led to his court appearance in 2014, where he pleaded guilty to the serious charge. The presiding judge, Lord Burns, decided against sending him to prison at that time, opting instead for a community payback order. This order required Bull to complete 101 hours of unpaid work and included strict conditions aimed at preventing further contact with minors, such as prohibitions on using social media, mobile phones, and having contact with girls under the age of 15.

Despite these restrictions, Bull was found to have violated the terms of his order on multiple occasions. The court heard that he had used mobile phones and accessed social media platforms, although his defense lawyer, Simon Gilbride, argued that Bull denied regularly contacting young girls via Snapchat. The breaches were documented during two separate court appearances, one in Edinburgh on July 15 and another less than two weeks later on July 28. Each time, Bull admitted to breaching the order, prompting the court to take a stern stance.

Lord Burns, emphasizing the gravity of the breaches, stated, “I said if there were a breach I would have no option but a custodial sentence. I am bound to impose a custodial sentence.” He further told Bull, “Conor Bull, you have given me no option but to find you in breach. You accept you are in breach for the second time.” The judge ordered a risk assessment report to evaluate Bull’s potential threat to the public and remanded him in custody. His sentencing was deferred until November 2 at the High Court in Aberdeen, reflecting the seriousness with which the court viewed his repeated violations.

In the original 2014 case, Lord Burns had decided that a custodial sentence was not necessary, citing the public interest and opting instead for a community-based punishment. Bull was ordered to perform 101 hours of unpaid work, and the court acknowledged that he posed a low risk of re-offending at that time.

However, the case drew further public outrage when, in July 2014, the mother of a girl from Newton Stewart publicly condemned the leniency shown to Bull. Her daughter, who was raped by Bull, was only 12 years old at the time. The mother expressed her frustration and disappointment, stating, “It’s disgusting that he can rape a child and walk off with this sentence. I couldn’t believe it, how can you do that to a wee girl then walk free? He should be locked up.”

The court proceedings revealed that Bull had engaged in sexual activity with the girl after they met at his house on December 30. The incident only came to light after the girl sought medical attention for feeling sick and disclosed her recent sexual encounter. The court also heard that the girl had been communicating with Bull via social media, claiming she was between 14 and 16 years old and had told Bull she was 16 turning 17.

Despite the gravity of the crime, Bull’s legal representatives argued that he had been bullied at school and was still immature. They also highlighted that he was now enrolled in a catering course and was under supervision for three years, on the sex offender’s register for the same period, and required to attend a specialized course aimed at understanding the impact of sexual offenses.

As the legal proceedings continue, the community and victims’ families remain deeply concerned about the adequacy of the punishment and the measures in place to prevent further harm. The case underscores ongoing debates about sentencing, rehabilitation, and public safety in cases involving sexual offenses against minors.