Fort William sex predator facing life sentence after horrific rape

Gareth Russell preyed on his victims via apps such as Snapchat and TikTok while using fake names.

 

The 22-year-old blackmailed youngsters by saying he would post intimate photos he had of them over the internet.

 

Russell’s actions became even more sinister when he went on to rape a 13-year-old girl in woods near his home in Fort William.

 

He had flouted four bail orders not to go near children.

 

The former shop worker stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

 

He accepted being a sex offender online, but denied abusing anyone in person.

 

Russell insisted he did not rape the girl as threats he was receiving in the local community made him too scared to leave home.

 

But jurors went on to convict him of a total of 40 charges carried out between 2021 and 2023.

 

This involved 15 different named young females, but one of the crimes said Russell had also communicated indecently with a number of "unknown" underage girls.

 

Russell was due to be sentenced today, but the matter was further deferred so a risk assessment for an order of lifelong restriction (OLR) could take place.

 

An OLR would result in Russell being subject to a string of conditions for life upon his eventual release from prison.

 

Gary Allan KC, defending, had earlier asked judge Lady Hood if an alternative extended sentence would be imposed.

 

This would have meant that Russell was placed under supervision for a set period upon his release from prison.

 

The judge, however, stated: "He is assessed as being above average for sexual reconviction.

 

"I take account everything said by Mr Allan and the reasons why he urges me to deal with the matters with an extended sentence with the acknowledgement that custody is inevitable.

 

"I do consider it appropriate to have a risk assessment report and once I have that I can be fully addressed by Mr Allan."

 

The trial previously heard Russell targeted victims on Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and text message.

 

He also left a young woman in fear having initially contacted her on the Only Fans site.

 

Russell was logged onto Snapchat at the time using a bogus name when he was arrested.

 

He gave evidence during the trial and claimed to be "ashamed" of the charges he accepted.

 

Russell’s own KC, Gary Allan, said those crimes alone were "undeniably disgusting" and "frankly despicable conduct".

 

Jurors heard the pervert had gained a notorious reputation in his hometown leading to his family having to rig-up CCTV outside to stop their home being targeted.

 

But Russell insisted he was not guilty of actual physical sexual abuse.

 

He denied attacking a 14 year-old girl he had hounded online.

 

He had posed as "Freddie" and claimed - despite her being underage - that they could "make it work".

 

Russell also molested a 16 year-old girl on a bus.

 

Another was preyed upon in a car - but Russell claimed that did not occur as his own mum was also in the vehicle at the time.

 

The 13 year-old rape victim was attacked late at night in September 2023.

 

She was another he had threatened to post intimate photos of her online.

 

Russell demanded she meet him. He went on to rape her in the woods having left his family home.

 

In cross-examination, prosecutor Nicola Gilchrist said he had to admit his guilt for a string of the charges as he was "bang to rights".

 

Miss Gilchrist said: "Your position now is that you accept you are a sex offender, but not one in real life with a real person in front of you?"

 

Russell replied: "It is."

 

The advocate depute further said Russell’s crimes had "escalated" over time.

 

Regarding the young rape victim, Miss Gilchrist put to him: "You took advantage of a young scared girl."

 

Russell responded: "Online I did."

 

The prosecutor said "many, many girls" were targeted.

 

Miss Gilchrist said: "The truth of the matter is, on your own evidence, you are a creep, a weirdo.

 

"Over the course of two years, you engaged in a campaign of an industrial level of grooming.

 

"You groomed children while you were on four bail orders for such behaviour."

 

She added: "You thought you were above the law. You are a creep, a weirdo, a rapist - that is what you are."