RYAN FISHER FROM TROON IN SCOTLAND DIES BEFORE SENTENCING FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN AYRSHIRE

In July 2019, the community in Troon and Ayrshire was shaken by the tragic death of Ryan Fisher, a 29-year-old man who was facing serious criminal charges related to his inappropriate conduct with a minor. Fisher, who was a trainee and qualified teacher, was found dead in Ayr on July 4, just weeks before he was scheduled to be sentenced for multiple counts of grooming and engaging in unlawful sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl.

Fisher’s death was confirmed by Police Scotland, with officers discovering his body at a property on Main Street in Ayr around 3:50 pm. The police spokesperson stated that the death was not considered suspicious and that a report would be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal for further investigation. The circumstances surrounding his death cast a somber shadow over the ongoing legal proceedings and the community’s reflection on the case.

Prior to his death, Fisher had been convicted of serious offenses involving the young girl, who was described as vulnerable due to her dyslexia. The charges stemmed from a pattern of repeated sexual encounters, which occurred over a period of time and included at least 23 separate incidents. These took place mainly in Fisher’s car, which he affectionately called Basil and even had its own Facebook page, as well as at his home and in wooded areas.

During the trial at Ayr Sheriff Court, it was revealed that Fisher had targeted the girl after offering help with her studies at a school in Ayrshire. The girl, who was then aged 14 and 15, was in regular contact with Fisher through Facebook and Skype. Police forensic experts recovered more than 1,000 messages from her laptop, despite Fisher’s efforts to teach her how to delete them. These messages included disturbing comments from Fisher, such as his suggestion that lowering the age of consent “made sense,” and his remark that “in France and other countries it’s 14, ha ha.”

Fisher also advised the girl to take contraceptive pills, telling her, “Just take one in the afternoon and meet me at 6.30 pm,” and reassured her by saying, “I’m not like a Jimmy Savile, ha ha.” The girl recounted that their first secret meeting involved Fisher discussing his feelings and trying to help her cope with her emotions about school and life. However, their relationship escalated, and by the seventh meeting, they were kissing and cuddling in his car. The girl described her shock when Fisher leaned in and kissed her, feeling unsure of how to respond.

Fisher’s actions and the nature of his relationship with the girl came under intense scrutiny during the trial. The court heard that he had engaged in sexual activity with her more than 20 times, often in secluded locations, and that he had breached the trust placed in him as a teacher. Despite denying the allegations, Fisher was found guilty of having sex with the girl and breaching his position of trust. The jury’s verdict was delivered swiftly, taking less than thirty minutes.

Following his conviction in June, Sheriff Desmond Leslie deferred sentencing to allow for background reports and a risk assessment. The sheriff warned Fisher that he faced a jail sentence, especially considering the severity of his offenses and the fact that he was to be placed on the sex offenders’ register. It was also anticipated that Fisher would be almost certainly disqualified from continuing his teaching career.

Fisher’s criminal conduct was further detailed in court, where it was revealed that he had exchanged around 1,000 messages with the girl on social media, including comments about the legality of the age of consent. His victim, now aged 20, was compelled to relive her ordeal during the trial, providing testimony about the nature of their relationship and the impact it had on her life. Her mother also testified, recounting how she discovered the messages in January 2016 and how distressed her daughter became upon realizing the extent of the relationship.

The case of Ryan Fisher from Troon highlights the tragic consequences of abuse of trust and the devastating impact on victims. His death before sentencing leaves unresolved questions and a community grappling with the loss and the lessons to be learned from this disturbing case.