JOHN NOON ARDROSSAN SOCIAL WORKER SENTENCED FOR HISTORICAL RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE IN ARDROSSAN

In a case that has shocked the community of Ardrossan, John Noon, a 69-year-old former social worker, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for a series of serious sexual offenses committed decades ago. The conviction stems from allegations that he sexually abused a teenage boy and another man while they were asleep, with the incidents occurring in Ardrossan during the late 1980s.

Judge Sean Murphy QC presided over the case at the High Court in Glasgow, where he emphasized the gravity of the crimes committed by Noon. The judge stated, “You have been convicted of gravely serious offences. Both complainants have been significantly affected by your actions. One of them recounts in his victim impact statement how he went off the rails for a period of time. Your actions have had a profound and lasting impact on their lives.”

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Noon, who was employed as a residential social worker caring for vulnerable children, denied all allegations. When confronted by his rape victim, he insisted, “I’m not a paedophile I’m an abuser,” a statement that drew attention to his attempt to distinguish between the two terms.

The court heard that between October 1986 and 1988, Noon raped a teenage boy while he was sleeping at a residence in Ardrossan. The victim, who is now in his 40s, was between 13 and 14 years old at the time of the abuse. Additionally, Noon was convicted of sexually abusing this same individual from October 1986 to September 1989 at various addresses within Ardrossan.

Further charges included the conviction for indecently assaulting another man while he was asleep at a flat in Ardrossan. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Noon maintained his innocence, claiming that his accusers were lying. Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel highlighted the emotional toll on the victims, stating, “These are ordinary decent men doing their best to tell you about something horrific. They are not here for the dramatics or attention. They are two hardworking, family men who have been utterly affected by what happened to them and further disturbed by the realization that they were not alone in this.”

Dalziel also described how Noon, when confronted, remained silent despite being told he had raped the teenager. She painted a vivid picture for the jury, asking them to imagine being accused of such a crime and how they would react. Instead of showing remorse, Noon was observed patting his wife’s knee and insisting, “I’m not an paedophile I’m an abuser.”

The family of one of the victims expressed their relief and satisfaction with the verdict. A family member told the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, “We are ecstatic that justice is finally being served. People thought this man was a pillar in the community, but now he has finally been exposed. It is shocking what he has done, but I feel justice has been served.”

Judge Sean Murphy QC decided to defer sentencing until the following month, allowing for further considerations before finalizing the punishment for John Noon. The case has left a lasting impact on the Ardrossan community, highlighting the importance of justice for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of the passage of time.