MICHAEL HARLOW'S SHOCKING SEX OFFENSES IN COWDENBEATH AND DUNFERMLINE
| Red Rose Database
Cowdenbeath Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing series of events, Michael Harlow, a man with a troubling criminal history, committed sexual assaults on two young schoolgirls in the towns of Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline. This occurred shortly after he was released from prison, despite a court order explicitly banning him from having any contact with children.
Harlow, who was 26 at the time, had previously served time in Perth jail for breaching a similar order. His release in December 2016 did not mark the end of his legal troubles. Less than two years later, he engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior that culminated in two separate assaults.
The first incident took place on February 20 of the previous year in Cowdenbeath. Harlow approached a group of underage girls in a local store, where he purchased alcohol for them. During this interaction, he asked for their names, ages, and where they lived, all of which the girls disclosed, stating they were between 13 and 15 years old. Recognizing their youth, Harlow continued to follow them as they dispersed.
Later that day, Harlow targeted a 14-year-old girl, indecently assaulting her. The court heard that he bought alcohol for the girls earlier, which was part of a pattern of grooming behavior. The assault involved Harlow touching her body and making inappropriate advances.
Less than two weeks later, on March 2, in Dunfermline, Harlow's predatory actions escalated. He approached a 15-year-old schoolgirl at Dunfermline bus station, claiming to be a bouncer and following her and her friend onto a bus. He repeatedly asked the older girl for her name and phone number, which she avoided providing. Despite her reluctance, Harlow persisted, later sending her friend requests on Facebook and Snapchat, and messaging her multiple times the following day.
During this encounter, Harlow joined the girls and made them feel uncomfortable by touching their friends and behaving inappropriately. He then grabbed the 15-year-old girl and took her down an alley, where she managed to break free and return to her friends. The court was told that Harlow's actions included lifting her up and attempting to kiss her, despite her screams and protests.
The court proceedings revealed that Harlow had denied the charges related to these assaults, but a jury found him guilty of both. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to breaching a Risk of Sexual Harm Order issued by a sheriff in 2014, which prohibited him from contacting or communicating with any child under 16. This breach was part of a pattern of violations, as Harlow had five previous convictions for failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements and three for breaching sexual harm orders.
During the sentencing hearing, the judge, Lord Uist, described an earlier report on Harlow as
Harlow, who was 26 at the time, had previously served time in Perth jail for breaching a similar order. His release in December 2016 did not mark the end of his legal troubles. Less than two years later, he engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior that culminated in two separate assaults.
The first incident took place on February 20 of the previous year in Cowdenbeath. Harlow approached a group of underage girls in a local store, where he purchased alcohol for them. During this interaction, he asked for their names, ages, and where they lived, all of which the girls disclosed, stating they were between 13 and 15 years old. Recognizing their youth, Harlow continued to follow them as they dispersed.
Later that day, Harlow targeted a 14-year-old girl, indecently assaulting her. The court heard that he bought alcohol for the girls earlier, which was part of a pattern of grooming behavior. The assault involved Harlow touching her body and making inappropriate advances.
Less than two weeks later, on March 2, in Dunfermline, Harlow's predatory actions escalated. He approached a 15-year-old schoolgirl at Dunfermline bus station, claiming to be a bouncer and following her and her friend onto a bus. He repeatedly asked the older girl for her name and phone number, which she avoided providing. Despite her reluctance, Harlow persisted, later sending her friend requests on Facebook and Snapchat, and messaging her multiple times the following day.
During this encounter, Harlow joined the girls and made them feel uncomfortable by touching their friends and behaving inappropriately. He then grabbed the 15-year-old girl and took her down an alley, where she managed to break free and return to her friends. The court was told that Harlow's actions included lifting her up and attempting to kiss her, despite her screams and protests.
The court proceedings revealed that Harlow had denied the charges related to these assaults, but a jury found him guilty of both. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to breaching a Risk of Sexual Harm Order issued by a sheriff in 2014, which prohibited him from contacting or communicating with any child under 16. This breach was part of a pattern of violations, as Harlow had five previous convictions for failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements and three for breaching sexual harm orders.
During the sentencing hearing, the judge, Lord Uist, described an earlier report on Harlow as