March 2012
SEX BEAST MARK GARDNER REMOVED AFTER COURIER EXPOSE
A CHILD molesting pervert exposed by CowalCourier.com this morning as living just yards from Kirn Primary School has been removed from his home by police.
Mark Gardner locked up his house shortly before 2pm this afternoon before being driven away in an unmarked car by an officer in plain clothes.
We told exclusively how the 23-year-old deviant had been living in a run-down bolthole a stone’s throw from the school after being released from prison.
But we can now reveal that Gardner – who molested young boys in toilets – also used the alias of ‘Struan Kintyre’ on Facebook to post pictures of himself.
He was jailed at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for 14-and-a-half months in July 2010 for his vile offences against boys aged just nine and 12.
Outraged parents today hit out as to why Gardner had been allowed to live so close to Kirn Primary without their knowledge.
One mum posted on Facebook: “What the hell is happening to this town and right next to a primary school!!!!!!! Good to see the police have removed him BUT to where that is the question…..
“And to think my son goes to that school and we had no knowledge of it, I know there are probably loads of them in the town but how the hell did one get to be that close to a school?
“It’s disgusting and one that terrifies me, my son and other kids will not be safe when perverts are loose and walking the streets.”
Gardner – who claims he was abused as a child – sexually assaulted his 12-year-old victim in the toilet of an Asda store in Dumbarton in February 2010, by going up behind the boy and touching his private parts.
Gardner also admitted an almost identical offence against a nine-year-old boy in the toilet of a McDonald’s restaurant in Glasgow just days earlier.
In that assault his young victim tried to hide his private parts when he noticed Gardner staring at him – but the deviant still approached and groped him.
Gardner admitted both attacks when interviewed by police and also later in court.
He had previously been placed on probation at Dunoon Sheriff Court for a number of offences, including assaulting another child.
His case at Dumbarton Sheriff Court was held up several times because he refused to communicate with psychologists.
Gardner’s defence lawyer, Joanne Mortimer, reportedly explained at the time that her client had “learning difficulties” and found it hard to speak about his crimes.
She told the court: “I think it’s fair to say, and Mr Gardner acknowledges this, that the reports will cause some considerable concern.
“In particular, Mr Gardner clearly hasn’t co-operated fully in the preparation of the doctors report.
“He finds it difficult to discuss these matters with people who he hasn’t had the opportunity of building a relationship with.
“Certainly in my dealings with Mr Gardner, I have found that to be the case as well.”
The lawyer said that Gardner had shown remorse for his offences, adding: “He is aware of the impact these actions have had on the children involved and their families.
“He has said to me that he is aware that the families will be very angry and the children will be upset and that his actions will impact on them for a considerable time.
“Mr Gardner appreciates that the offences to which he has pled guilty most certainly justify lengthy custodial sentences.
“Public safety is a consideration and that would certainly be served by the imposition of a period in custody, but it’s unlikely to get to the root cause of Mr Gardner’s offending behaviour.”
Sheriff Simon Fraser told Gardner: “I am satisfied that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.
“You have been placed already on probation by a sheriff in Dunoon for, among other things, assaulting a child.
“These offences are very serious breaches of those probation orders.”
Gardner confirmed who he was when CowalCourier.com spoke to him yesterday but refused to talk about his crimes before slamming his door shut.
Strathclyde Police don’t comment on how individual perverts are monitored within communities.
But a spokeswoman said: “Sex offenders are monitored in the community under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements ( MAPPA ) which involve the police service, local authorities, the NHS, Scottish Prison Service and other partners.
“None of the partners engaged in MAPPA will comment on specific cases or individuals.
“The management of sex offenders in the community is a particularly sensitive and complex area of work.
“Public safety is always the main priority in all cases. Whilst it remains the main priority, a balance is required between public safety and the right of the individual.
“All aspects of cases are carefully considered at every stage of the process, from psychological and risk assessments to places of residence and potential security issues.
“A number of measures can be put in place to manage offenders in the community and these are monitored by dedicated police officers and officials from partner organisations.”
