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A woman from Dumfries and Galloway has come forward to advocate for greater transparency regarding sex offenders in Scotland after being raped by a childhood acquaintance. Hayley Watkins, aged 24, has chosen to reveal her identity publicly in an effort to shed light on what she sees as insufficient openness in the current system. Through sharing her personal story, she also hopes to encourage other survivors of sexual assault to report their experiences.
In February 2020, Watkins was sexually assaulted by Jordan Learmonth, who was then 19 years old, at his home in Castle Douglas. Learmonth served three and a half years in prison for rape and assault, being released in February 2026. Despite remaining on the sex offenders register for life, details of his conviction were not widely reported in the media, and there is scant online information about the case. Watkins stresses that it’s important for the public to be aware of such histories. She said, “You can’t find it anywhere that he [Learmonth] has been convicted of a serious sexual crime and I think people should be able to know that.” She further added, “People have to rely on rumours and gossip to get factual information and that just doesn’t make sense to me.” Watkins believes there should be a government-controlled, consistent database, rather than relying on media coverage, but no such system currently exists for adult offenders in Scotland.
Watkins and Learmonth had been friends since childhood and often spent time together. On the night of the assault, they were drinking at Learmonth’s house when she fell asleep. Watkins recalls, “Essentially I had woken up to him on top of me and at that moment I just knew I needed to get out.” After leaving, she contacted him via text to ask why he had raped her while she was asleep. Learmonth denied any wrongdoing, a denial that was eventually undermined by DNA evidence presented in court. Watkins highlighted how this evidence was crucial in securing Learmonth’s conviction at the High Court in Stirling in August 2022, after a delay due to Covid-related restrictions.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Watkins described the process of reporting the crime positively, appreciating the support she received from medical and law enforcement professionals. “My doctor was so supportive, he was patient with me and that positive experience then led me to tell my family and then go to the police station and tell the police,” she said, noting she never felt judged throughout the process. Despite the relief brought by Learmonth’s guilty verdict, she expressed complex emotions about the betrayal by someone she once considered a friend: “Jordan was my friend. It was hard dealing with the betrayal of trust – that my friend could violate me in ways that he did.”
Driven by her experience, Watkins has submitted a petition to the UK Parliament demanding better public awareness and transparency regarding sexual offenders. The petition argues, “while systems exist in Scotland to manage sexual offenders, public awareness of these systems is low, and information is often reactive rather than accessible,” which leaves communities uncertain about risks and how to protect themselves. She has also expressed her willingness to collaborate with Scottish ministers to improve relevant policies. In response, the Scottish government emphasized that “public safety is paramount in the management of registered sex offenders” and highlighted the existence of strict notification obligations and penalties designed to safeguard communities.
Today, Watkins remains determined to help others and promote safety. As part of her recovery, she sought support from Rape Crisis in Dumfries, appreciating the ongoing availability of trained counselors to assist survivors. She remarked, “I always had someone to call, someone to meet with and talk through any of my worries and it was just massive for my healing journey.” While she acknowledges the lasting impact of her trauma, she remains hopeful: “I’ve learned that the effects of the crime never goes away. It is a thing I will constantly be battling, but I do remind myself that it does get easier. Life’s good, life’s bright, and no matter what has happened to me there’s so much good in life and it really does get better.” Attempts by BBC Scotland News to contact Learmonth for comment were unsuccessful
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