Teenager who raped three girls and attacked fourth after being freed on bail handed eight-year sentence

A teenager who raped four girls, including one victim he attacked after he was freed on bail, has been jailed for eight years.

Riley Kirk sexually assaulted three victims at addresses in Grangemouth and carried out a further attack on a 16-year-old girl at a house in West Lothian, after he was granted bail.

Kirk, now aged 20, began his offending when he was 14 and continued committing sex crimes until he was three days short of his 18th birthday.

Two of his victims were subjected to rapes when they were sleeping and when challenged Kirk claimed that he must have been asleep as well.

A judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh that there were several aggravating factors in his crimes, including that he repeatedly offended against his first three victims.

Lord Harrower said it was “very concerning” that after Kirk was placed on bail he carried out a further rape of a vulnerable 16-year-old girl he hardly knew.

The judge told Kirk: “The period of time you will spend in detention will be shorter than for an adult man sentenced for the same offences.”

He ordered that the sex offender should be under supervision in the community for a further three years after his jail term, when he will be on licence and can be returned to prison if he breaches its terms.

Kirk, formerly of Kirkcaldy, denied a series of charges during an earlier trial but was found guilty of six charges of rape and sexual assault.

He attacked and raped his first victim on October 19 in 2019 at an address in Grangemouth when she was aged 14.

During the assault, he repeatedly pushed the girl and removed her clothing.

He sexually assaulted her again at a grassy area in Grangemouth between May 1 and July 31 the following year.

On November 24, 2021, he raped a 17-year-old girl at a house in Grangemouth when she was asleep and incapable of consenting to sex. He assaulted and raped the girl again on an occasion between November 25 and December 6 that year.

Kirk raped another 17-year-old on various occasions between July 1 and August 31 in 2022 at a different address in Grangemouth. The victim was raped while sleeping and after she awoke.

He was granted bail at Falkirk Sheriff Court on December 21 in 2022 but went on to attack and rape the 16-year-old in East Calder on January 29 in 2023 after repeatedly putting his arms around her and removing her clothing.

Defence counsel Tony Graham KC said Kirk was convicted of grave offences committed at a time when he was an adolescent moving into young adulthood.

He asked the judge to take into account his age at the time of the offending and potential for rehabilitation.

He said: “There will, of course, be programmes available to him. It will be a matter for him to take advantage of them.”

Lord Harrower made non harassment orders prohibiting Kirk from contacting or attempting to contact the victims for an indefinite period. Kirk was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Detective constable Marc Lunn said: “Riley Kirk is now 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.

“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 – you will be fully supported by our officers and partner agencies.”