In 2023, a guy, Jamie Starrs Lanarkshire Paedophile, who sexually molested a teenager five months before she was raped and murdered by her elder brother was sentenced to prison.
Jamie Starrs, a 20-year-old individual, assaulted Amber Gibson, who was in a vulnerable state, perhaps due to being asleep or unconscious, at a location in Bothwell, South Lanarkshire, in June 2021.
The 16-year-old, who was innocent, was subsequently subjected to sexual assault and murder by her 19-year-old brother, Connor Gibson, in November 2021. However, her pre-death statement to the authorities played a vital role in ensuring that her rapist was held accountable for his actions.
Jamie Starrs refuted any misconduct allegations and faced trial at the High Court in Lanark. Nevertheless, the jurors reached a conviction after deliberating for a little two hours, finding him guilty of sexually assaulting Amber as well as another underage girl. This incident occurred a mere fortnight prior.
Jamie Starrs received a prison sentence of ten-and-a-half years, followed by two years of monitoring after release. During the sentencing, Judge Thomas Welsh addressed the double rapist, who appeared in court via video link from detention, stating: ‘You have been found guilty of heinous offences committed against two innocent young girls, and you have been evaluated as posing a significant threat of sexual violence upon release.’
‘Although I must consider your age and challenging background, the offences you have committed are still grave and severe, and I shall impose a longer sentence.’
The speaker stated that initially, he intended to impose a sentence of 11 years of imprisonment but later decided to decrease it to ten-and-a-half years, considering the period the individual has already spent in custody.
The individual, who is 20 years old, was also convicted of violating bail conditions and attempting to obstruct the legal process.
He has been indefinitely registered as a sex offender.
During the plea in mitigation, Michael Meehan KC, who represents Jamie Starrs, emphasised that the sentence should consider the sentencing guidelines applicable to individuals under 25. These rules recognise that younger individuals generally have a lesser level of maturity compared to older individuals.
The attorney also implored the judge to consider his client’s detrimental childhood circumstances when determining the appropriate punishment.
During his testimony, he informed the court that Jamie Starrs was taken out of parental custody when she was three years old and began struggling with addiction at the age of nine.
According to Mr Meehan, the individual has experienced significant trauma starting from a young age, which may partially account for their behaviour.
Detective Constable Ross McCaig had earlier informed the jury that he had obtained a statement from Amber following the disgusting attack being reported.
In her statement, she described the following: when she was under the covers, she realised that she was not wearing any clothes on her lower body, and her trousers were found next to her on top of the covers when she tried to get up.
I observed that Jamie, the individual, was asleep in the bed alongside me. The level of illumination was sufficient to confirm his presence. Subsequently, he emerged from beneath the bed linens in a state of utter nudity. He proceeded to don a red tracksuit and retrieve a blue windbreaker-style jacket. Meanwhile, I discreetly put on my trousers while concealed beneath the covers. I informed Jamie of my departure.
Subsequently, in a homeless facility in Blantyre, Amber displayed a reserved demeanour when the conversation shifted towards a TikTok user who was wrongly accused of rape. At that moment, she disclosed that she had experienced a similar situation. A male adolescent informed the staff, prompting the intervention of law enforcement, after which Amber disclosed that Jamie Starrs had sexually assaulted her.
She informed the detectives that she believed she had been sexually assaulted since she woke up in a bed with her lower body unclothed, alongside a naked male whom she had only recently met, both of them being concealed by the bed covers. I have no recollection of embracing or kissing him whatsoever.
Regarding the sentencing of Starrs, Detective Inspector Lorraine Wilson, from the rape investigation team of Lanarkshire division, expressed that Jamie Starrs subjected two women to brutal sexual assaults and is now confronting the repercussions of his abhorrent behaviour.
The victims demonstrated remarkable fortitude by stepping forward and disclosing the incidents they experienced. Although one of the women passed away before witnessing the administration of justice, her testimony played a crucial role in ensuring his conviction.
‘We extend our condolences to the other victim involved in this case, and I trust that this verdict will provide her with solace and resolution.’
The sentencing follows the conviction of Connor Gibson, aged 20, for the act of strangling his sister in a forested area in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, in November 2021.
The CCTV footage captured Gibson going along a dimly lit pavement following the crime.
He is observed bending down for a few moments next to a fence.
The CCTV footage depicts Connor Gibson strolling unaccompanied along a roadway in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire at precisely 11:44 pm.
Amber’s disappearance was reported on the evening of Friday, November 26, and her deceased corpse was found in Cadzow Glen at approximately 10.10 am on November 28.
On the night of November 26, 2021, the predator took Amber to Cadzow Glen to carry out a violent assault.
The perpetrator disrobed the victim and subjected her to a violent assault to violate the defenceless adolescent sexually. Subsequently, he proceeded to strangle and physically assault her, ultimately abandoning her in the forest, believing her to be deceased.
Amber was reported as missing on the evening of Friday, November 26th, and her deceased corpse was found in Cadzow Glen at approximately 10:10 am on November 28th.
However, tragically, the man who initially discovered her, Stephen Corrigan, subjected her body to mistreatment. The 45-year-old individual was convicted of engaging in actions to obstruct the administration of justice and disturbing public order. These actions involved touching and hiding the body of Amber in a manner that was intimate rather than promptly contacting the emergency services.
The head of the major crimes division at Police Scotland emphasised the need to focus on remembering Amber Gibson rather than diverting attention towards the two guilty individuals.
‘I can’t think of any terms that accurately describe them other than depraved.’
‘I believe it is necessary to allocate additional time to commemorate Amber.’ The senior officer expressed his desire for the convictions to provide solace to those who were acquainted with and cared for Amber.
He stated: ‘The behaviour of both Corrigan and Gibson is despicable and unworthy of respect.’
‘This investigation was difficult and intricate, requiring the expertise of several specialised officers from Police Scotland. They worked closely with our colleagues in forensic services, and I commend them for their professionalism and devotion during their work.’
Meanwhile, Peter Gibson, the father of Gibson, was incarcerated in April for committing the crime of sexual assault against a lady before his son’s conviction. The reporting of the father’s case was postponed until the conclusion of his son’s murder trial.
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