RYAN REID'S CRIMES IN LESMAHAGOW: POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AND STALKING

A former special constable from Lesmahagow has been handed a 15-month prison sentence after being found guilty of a series of disturbing and predatory behaviors targeting young women. Ryan Reid, aged 27, was convicted of a pattern of criminal activities that spanned several years, involving multiple victims and a range of unlawful actions.

Reid’s misconduct included repeatedly visiting the homes and workplaces of five young women, some as young as 15 years old, in an apparent attempt to intimidate and harass them. Court records detailed how he inundated these victims with sexually explicit messages via Facebook, creating an environment of fear and distress. The court proceedings revealed that Reid exploited his position as a police officer to access confidential data, which he then shared with friends, further complicating the case and highlighting a breach of trust and professional conduct.

The criminal activities attributed to Reid took place over a period from 2010 to 2013. His offenses ranged from stalking and sending nude photographs to loitering outside victims’ homes and approaching one woman at a pub over a span of six months. These actions demonstrated a persistent pattern of harassment and predatory behavior. Reid admitted to multiple charges, including two counts of stalking, three under the Communications Act, one under the Sexual Offences Act, and one under the Data Protection Act.

During the sentencing at Lanark Sheriff Court, Reid was visibly emotional, crying and shouting “I love you mum” after the judge handed down the sentence. The court also ordered that Reid be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and issued restrictions preventing him from approaching two of his victims. The sheriff overseeing the case did not hold back in criticizing Reid’s conduct, emphasizing the gravity of his misuse of authority as a police officer and the serious criminal nature of his actions, which appeared to be driven by sexual gratification.

Reid attempted to defend his actions publicly, claiming he was merely trying to be a “nice guy.” He also suggested that he was a victim of sex discrimination, posting on Facebook: “I am willing to explain things to people if they ask me. If anyone has formed an opinion of me without actually speaking to me about things fair enough that’s their problem, and if you don’t want me on your Facebook anymore just f***ing delete me. Too hard to be a nice guy any more.”

The court highlighted that Reid’s offending extended beyond online messaging, including repeated visits to a petrol station where a woman was working alone, and approaching victims he had previously harmed. Throughout the proceedings, Reid’s emotional reactions and outbursts underscored the seriousness of his crimes. The judge expressed concern that Reid’s position as a police officer made his victims hesitant to report the crimes, which compounded the severity of his misconduct. Ultimately, the court concluded that incarceration was the only appropriate response to his criminal behavior, reflecting the need for justice and the protection of the community in Lesmahagow.