Latest news with #RussellConn
Daily Record
05-08-2025
- Daily Record
Fears serial sex beast football coach abused up to 50 children
The convicted paedophile worked as a bus driver, truck driver and a painter and decorator over the years. It is feared that a notorious football coach paedophile may have abused up to as many as 50 kids. Russell Conn, who coached football teams in Ayrshire for over 26 years and worked as a carer in a boys' residential school, was jailed at the High Court in Glasgow last month for seven years. It was the second time the 62-year-old was convicted of sexual offences against children having been previously convicted of preying on young boys after a trial in 2022. He was first arrested for sex abuse against children in 2010, but it was a further 12 years until he was finally brought to justice. He was then found guilty of raping a youngster and sexually assaulting two other boys in July this year, taking his total number of confirmed victims to seven. Much of Conn's vile abuse took place in a number of towns across Ayrshire. Residents in the area now fear he may have assaulted as many as 50 children after working jobs where he interacted with youngsters over the years. He also worked in a boarding school, as a bus driver, a truck driver and a painter and decorator. One local said: "He ran his football team for years and there were dozens and dozens of boys that played for that team. "But he also had access to so many kids elsewhere over the years because he worked in a residential school with children who lived in it full time. "Then there were his jobs as a bus driver, delivery driver and painter and decorato r. He was always seeing kids and in and out of houses. "There could easily be many, many more victims." The secret serial sex offender targeted teens when they were alone and left his victims emotionally scarred, abusing one boy so badly he tried to kill himself. Conn has been convicted of offences spanning nearly 30 years, targeting his first victim in 1995 and his last in 2021, abusing them in his work vans and in properties. His two High Court trials have heard that he met some victims through his four jobs, while other boys were targeted after playing for the football team he ran. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Another victim was targeted after striking up a conversation with Conn when he spotted Conn's dog. Conn then lured the youngster into his home in Stevenston, Ayrshire, and abused him inside the property. After he was convicted for the second time, prosecutors warned how he had used his jobs and coaching role to gain access to children and then abuse them. A court source said: "There have been seven victims identified so far through his two court cases, but given the nature of his offending, it could easily be the tip of the iceberg. "Conn is a cold and calculated sex offender, who regularly engineered opportunities and situations where he was alone with young boys and abused them. "It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out he had targeted many more boys. Hopefully, if there are other victims out there, they find the strength to come forward so he can face justice." Speaking after his latest conviction, Detective Chief Inspector Suzanne McNulty said: "Russell Conn is facing the consequences of his abhorrent actions. "This outcome was made possible thanks to the victims who came forward and reported him. I commend them for the strength they have shown during the investigation and court proceedings. "Our thoughts remain with them, and I hope this sentencing offers them some comfort as they move forward with their lives." And the officer urged any victims of sexual predators to come forward. She said: "I would also like to reassure our communities that we are committed to investigating all reports of sexual crimes and remain determined to bring those responsible to justice. "I urge anyone who has been the victim of any offence of this nature to contact us - regardless of how much time has passed. You will be fully supported by our officers and partner agencies."
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Pervert Scots football coach who abused three young boys jailed for seven years
The monster is continuing to deny his twisted offending VILE FOOTIE BEAST Pervert Scots football coach who abused three young boys jailed for seven years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER football coach who abused three boys was jailed today for seven years. Russell Conn preyed on his teenage victims during a series of attacks in Ayrshire between 1999 and 2021. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A child sex monster was today jailed for nine years at the High Court in Glasgow Credit: Alamy The now 62-year-old committed the crimes mainly at different locations, including Beith, Ardrossan and Saltcoats. Conn had denied the accusations during a trial at the High Court in Glasgow. But, he was convicted of two rape charges and two of indecent assault. A further accusation of lewd and libidinous conduct was found not proven by jurors. After the verdicts, prosecutor Eric Robertson revealed Conn is currently serving a nine year sentence for similar offences against three other boys. He was found guilty at the High Court in Paisley in 2022 for what a judge described then as the "deliberate and calculated sexual abuse" of his victims. Today's sentencing was told Conn's latest victims came forward as a result of press coverage of the previous offences. Conn - who previously managed teams over almost 30 years in Ayrshire - went on to first face the fresh charges in 2023. Judge David Young KC ordered that the seven years imposed would run consecutively to Conn's current jail term. The judge said: 'The ages of these victims are aggravating factors as is the age difference between you and the victims. The INSIDE story of Scotland's biggest gangster - Jamie 'The Iceman' Stevenson 'Some of these involved breaches of trust. 'Both of your victims of the more serious charges provided statements about how your actions have affected their lives. 'It has had a devastating effect on them - they spoke about feeling isolated and hopelessness to this day. 'You have caused damage to their self-esteem and self-confidence and they have not developed as they should have done. 2 Russell Conn preyed on teenage victims in a series of sick attacks Credit: Police Scotland 'They have destructive behaviours and mental health issues - their psychological effects are severe.' Graeme Brown, defending, earlier told the sentencing that his client continues to deny his offending. An indefinite non-harassment order was made against two of Conn's victims while a 10-year order was made upon the third.
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Paedo Scots football coach convicted of more sex crimes in 26-year reign of terror
It comes three years after he was first jailed for a string of depraved sex attacks SICK PERV Paedo Scots football coach convicted of more sex crimes in 26-year reign of terror Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN EX-football coach who inflicted a 26-year reign of sexual terror over boys, has been found guilty of more sex crimes. Russell Conn, who managed teams for almost 30 years in Ayrshire, preyed on teenagers when they were alone. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Russell Conn targeted teenagers when they were alone Credit: John Gunion - The Sun Glasgow 3 He has now been found guilty of more sex crimes at the High Court in Glasgow Credit: Getty The 62-year-old was previously jailed for 'grooming and abusing' three boys between 1995 and 2014, leaving them 'deeply damaged'. He was put behind bars for nine years in December 2022 after being found guilty of abusing boys in his work van. And this week has has now been found guilty of another series of attacks between 1999 and 2021. Conn was yesterday convicted of raping two youngsters and sexually assaulting two other boys at the High Court in Glasgow. This brings the total number of the pervert's confirmed victims to seven. Conn committed the crimes at different locations across Glasgow and Ayrshire. This included addresses in Beith, Ardrossan and Saltcoats, as well as in his vehicle while it was parked near Ibrox stadium. The court heard that Conn repeatedly abused one youngster, who was aged between 14 and 15 at the time. Another young boy was targeted in 2004 and 2005 at a school in Ayrshire. He was found guilty of indecently assaulting the boy on several occasions when he was between 15 and 19 years of age. Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over plot to smuggle £600k of cannabis into UK Conn later raped the same boy when he was in his 20s after forcing himself into his home in Saltcoats. The court heard that he restrained him and clamped his hand over his mouth. Conn, who also worked as a delivery driver, bus driver, and a painter and decorator, denied the accusations during the trial. A further charge of lewd and libidinous conduct was found not proven by jurors. Conn, who is currently serving time in Low Moss Prison, in Bishopbriggs, is due to be sentenced for his latest crimes next month. Conn faced the first of the fresh charges in 2023, and his lawyer, Graeme Brown, said at the hearing on Friday, June 6: "The previous case proceeded to trial and garnered publicity. "The three complainers in this case, thereafter, came forward." Details of his previous conviction were revealed to the court by prosecutor Eric Robertson after the verdicts were announced. He was found guilty at the High Court in Paisley in 2022 after a jury unanimously convicted him of one charge of rape and four of sexual assault. During his first trial, the court heard he earned their trust and had sexual conversations with them before the attacks. The jury was told he was guilty of 'the grooming and manipulation and sexual abuse of teenage boys', and would often give victims money as well as cigarettes. His first victim, now in his 40s, previously told how he blamed himself for the abuse and said he had planned to die without ever revealing what had happened. He said he 'buried' what happened to him and 'withdrew' into his 'shell', adding: 'I had made peace with myself and thought I'd take it to my grave with me. 'I put it in a wee box at the back of my head but there's barely been a day gone by where I've not thought about it.' His second victim tried to kill himself within seconds of being forced on to a couch and abused in Conn's home. He was later unable to hold down a job because of mental health problems and struggles to go to the toilet due to the abuse. And his third victim, now in his 20s, was discharged from the Armed Forces and spent time in a mental hospital after revealing what had happened to him. After the first trial, Judge Andrew Cubie told him at the High Court in Glasgow: 'You were convicted of charges which was deliberate, calculated sexual abuse of three young men. 'Their evidence was powerful about their shame, experiences and effect it had on them. 'The offences were motivated by your own sexual appetite and sexual satisfaction. 'You express no remorse, understanding or empathy for the wrongdoing you have done or harm you have caused. 'You were able to carry on your own life while the victims suffered the consequences of your actions and you avoided justice into your seventies. 'Society has a repugnance to such crimes and the court must reflect that.'
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Daily Record
Serial sex beast football coach guilty of abusing more youngsters
Russell Conn, who abused one boy so badly he tried to kill himself, has been convicted of abusing three more youngsters. A serial pervert football coach has been found guilty of raping a youngster and sexually assaulting two other boys - taking his total number of confirmed victims to seven. Russell Conn coached football teams for over 26 years and worked as a carer in a boys' residential school, a bus driver, a delivery driver and a painter and decorator. But he was secretly a serial sex offender who targeted teens when they were alone. He abused boys at locations across Scotland over a 26-year period, carrying out the sexual assaults in his work vans and in properties, and abusing one boy so badly he tried to kill himself. He was convicted of abusing three more boys at the High Court in Glasgow last week, having previously been convicted of child sex offences in 2022. His latest trial heard he repeatedly abused a boy when the youngster was aged 14 and 15. The abuse took place in Conn's vehicle, while it was parked near Ibrox Stadium. The abuse also took place at addresses in Glasgow and the Ayrshire towns of Ardrossan and Saltcoats. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Between 2004 and 2005 he repeatedly abused another boy at Geilsland House School, a church-run residential centre in Beith, Ayrshire, which housed troubled youngsters. Conn worked at the residential school and the youngster, who was aged 15 and 16, was a resident at the time. Conn indecently assaulted him on a number of occasions. He repeatedly sexually assaulted another boy and raped him between 2013 and 2018 within vehicles and at addresses in Glasgow and across Ayrshire. The boy was aged between 15 and 19 at the time. And he raped the same boy when he was in his 20s, after forcing his way into his home in Saltcoats, Ayrshire, clamping his hand over his mouth and restraining him. Conn is due to be sentenced for the offences next month. His address was listed on court papers as Low Moss Prison, in Bishopbriggs, where he is serving the sentence was was given in his previous case. In 2022 he was jailed for nine years after being found guilty at the High Court in Paisley, Renfrewshire. The court was told he repeatedly targeted four teenagers. The court heard Conn, who was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life over that case, "groomed and abused boy after boy after boy after boy", leaving them "deeply damaged".. He was initially arrested and charged in 2010 - over abuse carried out on boys between 1995 and 2014 - after another teen reported abuse to police. His first trial heard Conn, of Stevenston, Ayrshire, knew one boy, who lived in a home, through the care system and tried to sexually assault him in Livingston after giving him £10 and a 10 pack of cigarettes. The boy said the incident happened on a bus which Conn had driven there. Conn admitted meeting the boy but denied he'd done anything wrong. He earned the trust of his victims and had sexual conversations with them before abusing them and often gave his victims money and cigarettes. The court heard he was guilty of "the grooming and manipulation and sexual abuse of teenage boys". His first victim said he blamed himself for the abuse and said he had planned to die without ever revealing what had happened. He said he "buried" what happened to him and "withdrew" into his "shell". He added: "I had made peace with myself and thought I'd take it to my grave with me. I put it in a wee box at the back of my head but there's barely been a day gone by where I've not thought about it." His second victim tried to kill himself within seconds of being forced on to a couch and abused in Conn's home. The dad of three said he is unable to hold down a job because of mental health problems and struggles to go to the toilet due to the abuse. And his third victim was discharged from the Armed Forces and spent time in a mental hospital after revealing the abuse he'd suffered at Conn's hands. A fourth victim had died before the case got to trial.
