FREDDIE PRITCHARD'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN AYR: SEX OFFENDER AND ARSONIST SENTENCED

Freddie Pritchard, a man with a troubling criminal history, has been sentenced to prison following a series of serious offenses in Ayr. His latest conviction involves both a disturbing sexual assault on a minor and a deliberate fire set within his own residence on Main Street.

In a court session held in his absence, Pritchard was found guilty of engaging in illegal sexual activity with a teenage girl who was unable to give consent. The court heard that Pritchard had kissed the girl, removed her clothing, and had sexual intercourse with her, despite her being underage. As a result of this conviction, he has been placed on the sex offenders register for the next ten years, a measure that requires him to notify authorities of his whereabouts and personal details during this period.

The case also revealed that Pritchard had previously breached court orders related to his conduct. His criminal record includes threats made via email to the girl and her family following the incident of illegal intercourse, which took place when she was in her early teens. Between May 2021 and January 2023, he was sentenced to 22 weeks in jail for causing fear and alarm through these threatening messages. A social worker involved in his case described Pritchard as manipulative and distrustful, noting that his statements often lacked credibility.

During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart revoked a previous community payback order that had been imposed on Pritchard. The court also deferred sentencing on another pending charge, warning him that further prison time could be on the horizon if he continued his pattern of behavior. Additionally, a non-harassment order was issued, prohibiting him from contacting the young girl until 2028.

At the time of his latest offenses, Pritchard was residing in a council flat after being released from prison on March 1, 2024. An investigation confirmed that the fire he set in his flat was deliberate. Pritchard admitted to using a cigarette to ignite the blaze, although he claimed he did not expect it to escalate as it did. The fire caused damage estimated between £25,000 and £30,000, adding to his list of criminal misconduct.

Lord Young, presiding over the case, expressed strong criticism of Pritchard’s lack of remorse and insight. He highlighted Pritchard’s criminal record, which he described as short but concerning, and condemned his behavior during the fire incident, noting that Pritchard was seen laughing and joking while firefighters dealt with the aftermath. The judge emphasized that Pritchard, now 29 years old, had not shown any signs of reform and that his guilty plea to the arson charge meant a substantial custodial sentence was unavoidable. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing threat he poses to the community in Ayr.