Renfrewshire man admits abusing schoolboy on an “almost daily basis”

A sex attacker who threatened a terrified young boy with a knife as he abused him is behind bars.

Gary Ravenscroft preyed on his victim in Paisley and Johnstone between 2007 and 2011.

The child was as young as nine when Ravenscroft first struck.

A judge was told how the boy was abused on an “almost daily basis”.

Ravenscroft now faces a lengthy jail-term after he pled guilty to a string of charges including raping the child.

The High Court in Glasgow heard claims Ravenscroft may have been affected by a brain tumour at the time.

The 27 year-old was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.

Prosecutor Margaret Barron said the boy was first attacked while playing a games console.

Ravenscroft was later described as “aggressive” and threatened to “batter” the child.

The abuse stopped for a time while Ravenscroft recovered from brain surgery.

But, he went on to prey on the boy again when he got out of hospital.

Prosecutors said this included him “presenting a knife” at the child before attacking him.

Ravenscroft was snared when the victim bravely went to police in early 2017.

It then emerged he had also molested a seven year-old boy in 2010.

He admitted to a charge of lewd and libidinous conduct in connection with that incident.

Ravenscroft had initially been due to appear at the high court in March 2018, but a warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to turn up.

Tony Lenehan, defending, said he will discuss at a future hearing whether Ravenscroft's brain injury caused a lack of “inhibition” during the crimes.

Lord Mulholland deferred sentencing for reports.