DARVEL SEX OFFENDER STEVEN MCGARRY JAILED AFTER RUNNING FROM JUSTICE

In a case that has shocked the community of Darvel and the wider Ayrshire region, Steven McGarry, a 36-year-old sex offender, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after a dramatic escape that led to a significant manhunt. The incident dates back to Christmas Eve 2010, when McGarry, who was on licence following a 51-month sentence for abduction and sexual assault, absconded from lawful supervision.

During the period of his disappearance, McGarry adopted multiple aliases, including Adam Hunter, Soldier Boy, and Colin Sampson. These false identities were used to establish contact with numerous women across the United Kingdom via the internet. The Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard evidence that McGarry engaged in deceptive online activities, which included failing to notify authorities of his false names, thereby breaching the terms of his Sex Offenders Register registration between August and December 2010.

Police described McGarry as a “danger to women,” a characterization rooted in his violent past. In 2005, he was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow for a heinous crime involving the abduction and assault of a 17-year-old girl. During that incident, McGarry tied up his victim and subjected her to a night-long ordeal. He left a note outlining his sexual fantasies before physically assaulting her, beating her, and restraining her with a shoelace and pieces of towel. At one point, he selected clothing from her wardrobe and ordered her to wear it after untying her. The assault culminated in McGarry stripping and sexually assaulting the girl, who was a neighbour living in flats for the homeless in Darvel, Ayrshire.

He eventually left her at approximately 6:45 am, after which she chained her front door and called police using her mobile phone. The severity of his actions was underscored by Lord Philip, who sentenced him, stating, “This was an appalling crime committed against a vulnerable young woman of 17, living on her own away from her family. You detained her for eight hours and subjected her to a humiliating and terrifying experience.”

McGarry’s criminal history also includes a prior conviction for detaining a 14-year-old girl against her will and covering her mouth to prevent her from calling for help. These repeated offenses highlight the dangerous nature of his conduct.

Following his recent sentencing, McGarry will be subject to strict restrictions upon his release. He will be banned from contacting anyone under the age of 17, prohibited from using the internet, and barred from entering areas frequented by children, such as schools, parks, and playgrounds. Additionally, he will be required to adhere to a curfew, wear a tagging device, and is not permitted to undertake any voluntary work. These measures aim to prevent further harm and ensure public safety in the Darvel community and beyond.