SNS GroupA child rapist was found to have carried out an “industrial level of grooming’ against more than a dozen terrified girls.
Gareth Russell preyed on his victims via apps such as Snapchat and TikTok while using fake names.
The 22-year-old blackmailed youngsters by vowing to post intimate photos he had of them over the internet.
Russell also raped a 13-year-old girl in woods near his home in Fort William.
He had flouted four bail orders not to go near children.
The former shop worker stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
He accepted being a sex offender online, but denied abusing anyone in person.
Russell insisted he did not rape the girl as threats he was receiving in the local community made him too scared to leave home.
But, jurors went on to convict him of a total of 40 charges carried out between 2021 and 2023.
This involved 15 different named young females, but one of the crimes said Russell had also communicated indecently with a number of “unknown” underage girls.
Russell is behind bars and is due to be sentenced in the New Year.
Russell targeted victims on Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and text message.
He also left a young woman in fear having initially contacted her on the Only Fans site.
Russell was logged onto Snapchat at the time using a bogus name when he was arrested.
He gave evidence during the trial and claimed to be “ashamed” of the charges he accepted.
Russell’s own KC Gary Allan said those crimes alone were “undeniably disgusting” and “frankly despicable conduct”.
Jurors heard the Russell had gained a notorious reputation in his hometown leading to his family having to rig-up CCTV outside to stop their home being targeted.
But, Russell insisted he was not guilty of actual physical sexual abuse.
He denied attacking a 14-year-old girl he had hounded online.
He had posed as “Freddie” and claimed – despite her being underage – that they could “make it work”.
Russell also sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl on a bus.
Another was preyed upon in a car – but Russell claimed that did not occur as his own mum was also in the vehicle at the time.
The 13-year-old rape victim was attacked late at night in September 2023.
Russell also threatened to post intimate photos of her online.
He demanded she meet him and he went on to rape her in the woods having left his family home.
In cross-examination, prosecutor Nicola Gilchrist said he had to admit his guilt for a string of the charges as he was “bang to rights”.
Ms Gilchrist said: “Your position now is that you accept you are a sex offender, but not one in real life with a real person in front of you?”
Russell: “It is.”
The advocate depute further said Russell’s crimes had “escalated” over time.
Regarding the young rape victim, Ms Gilchrist put to him: “You took advantage of a young scared girl.”
Russell said: “Online I did.”
The prosecutor said “many, many girls” were targeted.
Ms Gilchrist said: “The truth of the matter is, on your own evidence, you are a creep, a weirdo.
“Over the course of two years, you engaged in a campaign of an industrial level of grooming.
“You groomed children while you were on four bail orders for such behaviour.”
She added: “You thought you were above the law. You are a creep, a weirdo, a rapist – that is what you are.”
Russell replied: “No.”
Lady Hood deferred sentencing for reports.
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