GEORGE OWEN: CHILD SEX PREDATOR FROM BELLSHILL, HOLYTON, AND PRESTWICK FACES PRISON

In a disturbing case that has spanned over a decade, George Owen, aged 66, a man with connections to Bellshill, Holytown, and Prestwick, has been remanded in custody after admitting to the sexual abuse of four young children over an 11-year period. The heinous acts took place primarily at properties located in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, and Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, between the years 1971 and 1982.

Owen's crimes came to light in 2012 when a daughter of one of his victims confronted him directly, leading to his eventual arrest and investigation. The case was brought before the High Court in Glasgow, where Owen pleaded guilty to five charges of acting in a lewd and libidinous manner towards children. The court decided to defer sentencing to allow for the preparation of reports that would inform the final judgment.

During the proceedings, Paul Brown, Owen's defense solicitor, explained that his client wished to avoid a lengthy trial, citing a desire to prevent the victims from having to relive their traumatic experiences through testimony. Despite this, the court was informed of the gravity of Owen's actions and the extensive period over which they occurred.

Judge Lord Turnbull, presiding over the case, ordered Owen to be placed on the sex offenders' register. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, "You have been convicted by your plea of predatory sexual behaviour directed at children and perpetrated over a lengthy period of time."

The court heard harrowing details about the victims. The first victim was only five years old when Owen began abusing her. Around the same time, he also started abusing an eight-year-old boy. Another young boy, also aged five at the time, was targeted by Owen, with one of the assaults occurring in a swimming pool cubicle in Ayr. The final victim was between eight and ten years old when she was subjected to abuse.

Prosecutor Bill McVicar recounted that Owen managed to evade justice for many years, with the crimes remaining undiscovered until late 2012. It was only after a daughter of one of the victims challenged Owen about the abuse that he was forced to confront his past. Following this confrontation, Owen disappeared, prompting a police investigation that eventually located him in Dunoon, Argyll and Bute.

During police interviews, Owen admitted that his "past was catching up with him" and expressed that he had "needed to get away". The case highlights the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the importance of vigilance and justice in addressing such heinous crimes.