Name change sex offenders are ‘hiding in plain sight’

PREDATORS are ‘hiding in plain sight’ because the authorities are allowing them to change their names when they are released from prison.

Rapists and paedophiles can assume fresh identities while still being supervised in the community.

The loophole has been closed elsewhere and is set for review in England and Wales amid fears that registered sex offenders (RSOs) are using it to conceal their past crimes and target further victims.

In the past three years alone, 36 RSOs in Scotland have told police they use a different name from that under which they were convicted.

Last year, Jason Graham, 30, was jailed for life for the rape and murder last May of Glasgow pensioner Esther Brown, calling himself Jason Evans.

Locals were shocked to discover the killer in their midst was an RSO being monitored following early release from a seven-and-a-half-year sentence for raping a retired nurse.

In 2004, eight-year-old Mark Cummings was sexually assaulted and murdered by paedophile Stuart Leggate, living under a false name in the same Glasgow flats as his victim.

Mark’s mother, Margaret-Ann Cummings, 46, said: ‘We are often warned about the dangers of sex offenders “going underground”. But by allowing them to change their names, the authorities are helping them hide in plain sight.’

After a freedom of information request, Police Scotland said 14 RSOs notified officers of a change of name in 2019, eight in 2020 and 14 last year.

Scots Tory community justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: ‘The ability of sex offenders to change their names poses a significant risk to the public. This loophole must be closed as a matter of urgency.

‘This is yet another example of a Scottish criminal justice industry in thrall to the rights of criminals with little regard for victims.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Sex offender notification requirements (SONR) apply to an individual, irrespective of what name they use. Swift action is taken by police in the minority of cases that do not comply, with those in breach facing up to five years in prison.’

Police Scotland would not say if Graham notified the force of his alias as a significant case review is taking place. But Det Supt Paul Cherrie said: ‘We robustly enforce SONR and ensure all breaches are reported to the procurator fiscal.’