JAMES CONNOR OF BELLSHILL: SCOTLAND'S SERIAL CHILD ABUSER FACES RETURN FROM ROMANIA

In a development that has sent shockwaves through the community of Bellshill and beyond, James Connor, a man with a long and disturbing history of child abuse, has won his legal battle to be transferred back to Scotland to serve the remainder of his prison sentence. This decision comes nearly three years after Connor was convicted in Romania for a series of heinous crimes involving minors, raising serious concerns among victims, their families, and authorities alike.

Connor, a long-distance lorry driver from Bellshill, was initially caught in Romania in 2010, where he was found in possession of children in his vehicle. The police investigation revealed that he had been abusing boys since he was just 12 years old. His criminal activities spanned over two decades, with victims at various locations across Europe, including Romania, France, Spain, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. Despite the severity and duration of his offending, Connor’s sentences in Romania were reduced on appeal, and he was ultimately ordered to serve only eight years of a 22-year sentence. This reduction was based on claims that his original punishment was excessively harsh.

In February 2011, a Romanian court convicted Connor on multiple counts, including sexual acts with minors, child corruption, and possession and distribution of child pornography. The court sentenced him to eight years in prison, and he was ordered to pay compensation to one of his young victims. Specifically, he was fined 1,685 euros (£1,410) and ordered to pay legal costs. The conviction was based on evidence that Connor had lured children with cash and sweets, filmed himself abusing them, and used his job as a truck driver to facilitate his crimes. Romanian authorities also linked him to at least a dozen other cases, although he was prosecuted for only one to expedite proceedings.

Throughout his criminal career, Connor has shown no remorse for his actions. In fact, he has often claimed that he was the victim, rather than the perpetrator, and has refused to acknowledge the harm caused. His early history reveals a pattern of escalating abuse, beginning at the age of 12, with incidents involving young children at a swimming pool and a Catholic retreat, where he initially hoped to become a priest. Despite concerns from social workers about his dangerous tendencies, Connor was never properly supervised after serving a six-month sentence in 1995 for indecency, during which he admitted to multiple attacks and expressed a desire for more young victims.

His criminal activities continued into adulthood, with allegations of abuse involving his own friends’ children and other victims. In 2003, while living in Bristol and seeking work as a lorry driver, he was accused of abusing children in a family friend’s house, prompting police investigations and his subsequent flight from the UK. His travels took him across Europe, where suspicions of abuse persisted. The Romanian police finally apprehended him in August 2010, after catching him with boys in his truck. The police found a laptop containing obscene images involving minors, further implicating him in child exploitation.

Following his arrest, Connor was extradited to Romania, where he was convicted and sentenced in 2011. Despite mounting evidence and international cooperation, including involvement from Interpol, Connor’s legal battles continued, with him mounting appeals against his conviction. His supporters, including his mother Brenda, 73, who still resides in Bellshill, have expressed their unwavering support, although she declined to comment publicly. The Scottish Prison Service has stated that they have yet to be contacted by Romanian authorities regarding his transfer, but assured the public that procedures are in place to monitor and restrict the movements of convicted sex offenders returning from abroad.

Victims and advocacy groups have expressed deep concern over Connor’s impending return to Scotland. One anonymous woman, who was among those affected, said, “This was the moment we were dreading. We don’t want him back in Scotland. He’ll serve a couple of years and be back on the streets again to prey on more innocent children.” The authorities remain cautious, emphasizing that offenders like Connor can be subject to Notification Orders, requiring them to register their details with police and be closely monitored to prevent further harm.

As the legal process unfolds, the community grapples with the unsettling reality of Connor’s potential release. His case underscores the importance of vigilant oversight and the ongoing challenge of managing convicted sex offenders who have committed crimes overseas. The full impact of his return remains to be seen, but the fears of those who have suffered at his hands are palpable and justified.