MARK KERR AND SHOCKING CRIMES IN LANARKSHIRE

A disgraced former SNP councillor, Mark Kerr, has been taken into custody following his conviction for grooming and abusing six teenage boys in Lanarkshire. Kerr, aged 40, was responsible for horrific crimes that spanned nearly a decade, with his offending beginning before he was even elected as a councillor. In particular, Kerr attempted to assault one of his victims at his residence in Croy, a village within Lanarkshire, highlighting the gravity of his misconduct.

The investigation into Kerr’s actions uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse against vulnerable youths. His criminal activities ranged from inappropriate groping and sexual assault to attempted rape, with the victims mostly being significantly younger than him. Kerr’s political career, which included being elected in 2017 to represent the Kilsyth ward, did little to shield him from justice. In fact, his offenses continued even after his rise to a position of community leadership.

Kerr’s abuse came to light during a police probe into longstanding allegations. One victim, now in his mid-20s, recounted that he initially regarded Kerr as a mentor when he came out as gay—an openness that Kerr exploited to gain the victim’s trust. The young man detailed that he first engaged in sexual activity with Kerr at a disused quarry when he was just 15 years old. He described how the abuse intensified, with Kerr attacking him again after a local SNP event when he was asleep at Kerr’s home.

In a graphic retelling, the victim explained freezing in fear during an attempted rape in 2015, recalling how he was unable to control his body’s reactions. The ordeal culminated in a confrontation on the street, where he pulled a knife on Kerr in front of his mother, who witnessed her son loudly accusing Kerr of his assault.

Further testimonies revealed that Kerr continued to prey on boys from around 2012, engaging in inappropriate behavior during camping trips and sending sexually explicit messages online. He was accused of molesting one boy in a tent near the Boathouse restaurant in Croy and was found guilty of sexually assaulting others, including an incident in 2014 when he Sleep-targeted another teenager in Croy.

Even as Kerr held a position of influence within the community, his nefarious activities persisted. His last known victim was a boy he molested at a food bank set up to support locals during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Kerr admitted during his trial that he believed the young man was a kind person but now recognized the severity of his actions.

During the proceedings, Kerr gave evidence and claimed that he was wrongly targeted after posting a video on his councillor Facebook page about boys in a disused quarry, purportedly to warn parents of dangers. He tearfully recounted how locals forced him out of his home of 32 years and branded him a “local nonce,” which he insisted was false. Despite his claims of innocence, the prosecution’s case painted Kerr as a predator disguising himself as a trusted community figure.

Prosecutor Michael Macintosh described Kerr as “a predator hiding in plain sight,” emphasizing the manipulative nature of his crimes. The jury found Kerr guilty of nine charges, including attempted rape and sexual offenses against multiple victims, committed between December 2010 and May 2020. Kerr was acquitted of some charges, including a rape allegation, but the court’s verdict confirmed his guilt in several others.

Judge Douglas Brown announced that Kerr’s sentencing would be deferred pending additional reports. Kerr’s bail was revoked immediately, and he was remanded in custody. He was also placed on the sex offenders register. Kerr’s sentencing is scheduled for next month, and the full extent of his punishment will be determined then.