Paedophile tricks his way into Renton mum’s house

Feb 5 2010 Lennox Herald (main ed)

A RENTON mum this week told how her family had a “lucky escape” from a convicted paedophile who wormed his way into their affections and their home.

Pervert James Bryson struck up a friendship with the unsuspecting woman via internet networking site Bebo months after being released from prison.

The 33-year-old was caged for five years in 2005 after admitting a string of sickening sex attacks on a five-year-old girl but was freed in July 2008.

Bryson was supposed to be supervised in the community until 2013 but moved in with the mum and her two daughters in August 2009.

The victim, who we have chosen not to name, said: “I met him on Bebo in September 2008 and he seemed like the nicest guy.

“He used the name Jamie Davie and spoke to hundreds of people on the site.

“We started going out a couple of months later. Because of the girls I didn’t want to rush into anything but he was always pushing the relationship.

“This was the first guy I had taken into my house since the girls’ dad.

“He got on well with all my family and would do anything for anybody. He pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes.”

The relationship progressed and the couple got engaged, with Bryson moving in a few weeks later.

The victim continued: “The night I found out I had been on the phone to my pal and she said her stepmum recognised his mum’s name and just thought there was something wrong.

“I turned on the computer, typed in his name and the stories came up. I was in shock.

“My feelings for him stopped that night.

“I was with him for a year. He’s a clever guy to keep up the lies all that time.

“Me and my girls had a lucky escape. I love them more than anything and couldn’t have gone on if he had harmed them.

“I met his family, they came to my engagement party and they knew I had children. His family are just as bad as him for not telling me.

“I’m angry he was able to do it. Someone should have been watching him.

“He wrote me two letters from prison saying he was sorry. Maybe he genuinely is but it doesn’t matter.

“I believe people deserve a second chance but not those like him. He should never be allowed out of prison. He has wrecked my life.”

Bryson is now back behind bars for failing to notify police he had changed address.

Detective Inspector David Tassie, of Strathclyde Police Public Protection Unit, said: “When the police were informed about a second address that Mr Bryson also resided at, which contravened his registration, he was immediately arrested and he has remained in custody ever since. Appropriate child protection measures have been taken in respect of any persons who may have been in contact with this offender due to this incident.”

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “Our social work and health department was in regular contact with Mr Bryson and was actively supervising him including visits at his home under the terms of his licence.

“Once the council became aware of this change in circumstances the council took immediate action to have him recalled to custody.

“Public safety is always the main priority in all cases.”