GALASHIELS CHILD RAPIST BACK IN COURT…
A young man has been handed a three-year prison sentence after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl who was only 12 years old.Myles Harris, who was 18 years old at the time of the assault, committed this heinous act at Gala Policies park in Galashiels, located within the Scottish Borders.
The case was heard at the High Court in Edinburgh, where the severity of the crime was thoroughly examined.
During the court proceedings, Judge Lord Scott remarked that Harris might have faced a longer sentence had he not chosen to plead guilty.
It was revealed that Harris, who has since turned 19, had no recollection of the incident, as he was heavily intoxicated at the time.
The court was informed that Harris’s memory loss was due to his intoxication, which impaired his ability to recall the events of that night.
Defense attorney Lili Prais provided context about Harris’s troubled background, explaining that he began abusing substances at the age of 12.
Her statement detailed how his substance misuse worsened over the years, leading him to associate with a problematic peer group.
—————————————————————————————————— Sentencing statement At the High Court in Edinburgh, Myles James Harris faced the solemn reality of justice as Lord Scott delivered a sentence of three years of detention following Harris's guilty plea to the heinous crime of raping a young child.
The court proceedings underscored the gravity of the offense, with Lord Scott addressing Harris directly, stating, “You have pled guilty to a charge of rape of a young child.
You raped a child when you were 18 and she was only 12.
You knew her age.
Your counsel has acknowledged the gravity of the charge.” During the hearing, the impact of the crime on the victim was highlighted through a victim impact statement, which confirmed the profound and lasting effects inflicted upon the young girl.
The court emphasized that such crimes leave deep scars and are met with severe legal consequences.
Prior to sentencing, a Criminal Justice Social Work Report (CJSWR) was presented to the court.
This report provided a detailed background of Harris’s life, revealing that he began experimenting with drugs at the age of 12.
His substance abuse escalated around the age of 15, following a tragic incident involving the death of his grandmother, which appeared to have contributed to his troubled lifestyle.
While acknowledging his history of drug and alcohol misuse, Lord Scott made it clear that these issues did not serve as an excuse for his criminal behavior.
Nonetheless, the report indicated that Harris had made some efforts to change his lifestyle.
Given Harris’s age at the time of the offense—19 years old—the court considered the Guidelines for Sentencing Young People.
These guidelines aim to balance the potential for rehabilitation with the seriousness of the crime.
Lord Scott remarked, “Rape of a young child is obviously an extremely serious charge.
The law exists to protect children from sexual activity when they are too young.” It was also noted that if Harris had not entered a guilty plea, the custodial sentence would have been significantly longer, estimated at four years and six months.
However, considering various mitigating factors, the sentence was reduced to three years, with the term being backdated to when Harris was remanded in custody on May 11, 2023.
Additionally, Harris will be subject to notification requirements indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring and protection for the community.
—————————————————————————————————— FURTHER UPDATE - 26/11/2025 A 22-year-old convicted sex offender has had more time added to his prison term after failing to tell officers he had switched his identity.
Myles Harris, originally caged for the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Galashiels’ Gala Policies, was back in the dock at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.
He was sent down for three years at the High Court in Edinburgh in 2023 for the 2022 attack, which he committed at the age of 18.
After being released under strict monitoring conditions, he was living in Blair Avenue, Jedburgh.
But between November last year and 26 September, he failed to report a new name — “Sean Scott” — to police within the required three-day period.
Sheriff Robert Fife ordered that a further six months be added on top of his existing sentence, meaning the extra time will begin once his current term ends in May.
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