KIERON SULLIVAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SEX OFFENCES IN ARMADALE AND WEST LOTHIAN

A notorious serial sex offender, Kieron Sullivan, has been handed a life sentence after a court determined he poses an extremely high risk of committing crimes of the most severe nature. Sullivan, aged 23, has a long history of sexual and violent offenses, and his recent actions in Armadale, West Lothian, have only added to his criminal record.

In March and April of 2023, Sullivan was caught engaging in sexual acts outside the homes of two women in Armadale. These incidents involved him exposing himself and masturbating in public, often in the presence of women who were strangers to him. The first of these incidents occurred just one day after Sullivan was given a second chance following a previous attack on a 71-year-old woman in Glasgow's Kinning Park. Despite being sentenced to 27 months in prison for breaching a community payback order related to that earlier assault, Sullivan was released and quickly committed new offenses.

His case was brought before Livingston Sheriff Court in September 2023, where he admitted to the recent offenses in Armadale. However, due to the serious nature of his crimes and the potential danger he posed to the public, the case was transferred to the High Court for a comprehensive risk assessment. The assessment revealed that Sullivan has a sexual pre-occupation and holds attitudes that condone both sexual and general violence, raising significant concerns about his future behavior.

Throughout his criminal career, Sullivan has accumulated an extensive record, with 29 convictions since he was 16 years old. His past crimes include assaults, robbery, possession of offensive weapons such as a metal pole and a knife, and repeated breaches of court orders. His criminal behavior has been persistent and escalating over the years, with violent and sexual offenses often intertwined.

In September 2022, Sullivan was convicted of sexual offenses for the first time, which involved similar patterns of public exposure and masturbation, often targeting women in their homes or gardens. One particularly disturbing incident involved him approaching a 71-year-old woman, grabbing her breasts from behind, covering her mouth, and pressing himself against her while making lewd remarks. Initially, he was sentenced to a three-year community payback order, but this was revoked in August 2023, and he was subsequently sentenced to an extended custodial term of 27 months, backdated to February 2021, with an additional 18-month extension.

Remarkably, Sullivan was released on this community order, only to reoffend within two days, committing the recent sexual offenses in Armadale. The social work and criminal justice reports obtained by the court highlighted that Sullivan cannot be managed safely within the community due to the high risk he poses. The risk assessment indicated that Sullivan is a maximum risk for reoffending, with a propensity for violent and sexual violence that could escalate further.

The assessment detailed that Sullivan’s offending includes contact and non-contact sexual acts against females of all ages, both strangers and acquaintances. His violent tendencies are evident, with incidents such as grabbing a 71-year-old woman from behind and restricting her breathing. The report emphasized that Sullivan has been engaging in violent and sexual offenses since he was 16, with little protective factors to mitigate his risk.

In light of these findings, the court’s judge, Lady Drummond, decided that Sullivan’s dangerousness warranted a lifelong restriction order, effectively an indeterminate imprisonment. Sullivan was ordered to serve a minimum of 18 months before he could be considered for parole, with the parole board responsible for any decision regarding his release. Additionally, Sullivan was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, and the court underscored that his physical violence posed the highest level of harm, capable of affecting both strangers and known individuals alike.

During the sentencing, Lady Drummond detailed the gravity of Sullivan’s offenses, noting that he had committed multiple sexual acts in public, including exposure and masturbation, over a short period. She highlighted his extensive criminal history, including violent assaults, possession of offensive weapons, and breaches of court orders, all of which demonstrated a pattern of escalating and persistent offending.

She explained that Sullivan’s recent offenses, committed immediately after his release from prison and during a community payback order, were of a similar nature to his previous crimes. The court’s assessment concluded that Sullivan’s pattern of sexual, violent, and sexually violent behavior posed a significant threat to public safety. Therefore, the court imposed a lifelong restriction order, which is a form of indefinite imprisonment, with a minimum punishment period of 18 months to be served in custody. Sullivan will not be eligible for parole until this period has been completed, and even then, release is subject to the parole board’s approval.

Furthermore, Sullivan will be subject to ongoing notification requirements as a sex offender for an indefinite period, and the Scottish Ministers will be informed of his convictions. The court’s decision underscores the serious concern about Sullivan’s dangerousness and the need to protect the public from further harm.