MARK COWAN'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN DENNY AND LAURIETSON: SEX OFFENDER'S BRUTAL ATTACKS ON YOUNG GIRLS

In September 2018, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Mark Cowan, a registered sex offender from Denny, who was ultimately sentenced to prison for his heinous actions in Laurieston and Falkirk. The events highlight a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned several months and involved multiple young victims.

On July 16, Cowan approached two young girls, aged 12 and 15, on Mary Street in Laurieston. He initiated contact by claiming to be “a cowboy,” a bizarre and unsettling introduction. Without warning, he removed his top and proceeded to wrap his arms around one of the girls, engaging in inappropriate physical contact. Neither of the minors could be named due to legal restrictions, but the incident was serious enough to warrant immediate police attention.

Following the incident, Cowan was taken into custody and brought before Falkirk Sheriff Court the following day. During the court proceedings, he admitted to approaching the minors and engaging in sexual activity with one of them, actions that directly violated a sexual offences prevention order issued to him in February 2017. This order was meant to restrict his contact with minors, making his actions a clear breach of legal restrictions.

Procurator fiscal depute Samantha Brown provided details of the incident, stating: “The accused indicated that they were beautiful girls and engaged in conversation for some time, during which he has taken his top off, placed his arms around the witness and began touching her on the neck and rubbing her back. The conversation was ongoing and eventually a witness, who worked at a shop on Mary Street, observed the accused speaking with the two children and was immediately concerned as earlier that evening she had had a conversation with the accused in that store, where he was purchasing alcohol. He had disclosed his name and that he was a registered sex offender.”

Concerned for the safety of the young girls, the shop worker contacted police. When officers arrived, they found Cowan sitting between the two girls. He was promptly arrested. Cowan appeared in court again on July 17 and later pleaded guilty on August 8 to the charges against him.

In sentencing, Sheriff Derek Livingston emphasized the severity of Cowan’s misconduct, stating: “You not only contacted both girls, you also engaged in sexual activity with one. There’s absolutely no alternative to a custodial sentence.”

Cowan, residing at 2 Munro Gardens in Laurieston, was sentenced to eight months in prison, with the sentence backdated to July 17. Additionally, he was placed under supervision for three years, with the condition that he attend drug and alcohol treatment programs to address underlying issues.

Earlier, in March 2017, Cowan’s disturbing pattern of behavior was already evident. He had targeted a 14-year-old girl on a public bus, sitting beside her and engaging in sexually inappropriate conduct. Cowan, then 44 and living on Broad Street in Denny, had touched her leg and spoken to her in a sexually explicit manner. This was the third incident involving minors under 16 within a span of less than seven months.

He had previously admitted to similar offenses committed on December 29 of the previous year, involving a bus route from Falkirk to Denny. The court heard that Cowan’s escalating deviant behavior might be linked to a brain injury caused by his alcohol abuse. His defense solicitor, Andy Bryson, explained that Cowan was suffering from severe disinhibiting behavior and binge drinking issues, and was awaiting assessment for an alcohol-induced brain injury.

Despite these explanations, the court was clear about the danger Cowan posed. Sheriff Livingston remarked: “I’m more concerned with the safety of 14-year-old girls than your client’s right to drink.”

Ultimately, Cowan was sentenced to ten months in prison, with the sentence backdated to January 2. He was also subject to a sexual offences protection order for five years, which prohibits him from approaching any female under 16. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years, marking a serious legal response to his repeated and disturbing offenses.