Call for Public Sex Offender Register
Hayley Watkins, 24, has publicly shared her experience of being raped by a childhood friend to advocate for greater transparency in the sex offenders register. She fears that her attacker could deny his conviction due to the lack of accessible information and wants others to be aware of his history.
Hayley was assaulted by 19-year-old Jordan Learmonth at his home in Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, in February 2020.
Learmonth was sentenced at the High Court in Stirling and released from prison in February 2026 after serving three and a half years for rape and assault. He remains on the sex offenders register for life. However, his conviction was not reported in the media, and there is minimal information available online.
Hayley believes the public should have access to such information.
"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 said.
"People have to rely on rumours and gossip to get factual information and that just doesn't make sense to me."
"It shouldn't be down to the media to have to cover all these court cases. There should just be a consistent database provided by the government."
Currently, under the sex offender community disclosure scheme in Scotland, people can inquire with the police if someone is a registered child sex offender to protect children. However, no equivalent scheme exists for adult sex offenders.
Details of the Attack
Hayley and Learmonth had been friends since childhood and frequently spent time together. Both were 19 when the assault occurred at his home.
"We went back to his house, carried on drinking, put the telly on and it was getting late so I just fell asleep," Hayley recounted.
"Essentially I had woken up to him on top of me and at that moment I just knew I needed to get out."
She walked home and sent Learmonth a text asking why he had raped her while she was asleep.
"He just denied it, said that he wasn't near me and nothing happened," she said.
"That was later used in court because DNA evidence found that it had taken place - so it helped to get him convicted," she added.
Support and Legal Proceedings
Hayley sought medical help the morning after the attack and praised the support she received from her GP and the police.
"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.
"I never felt like they didn't believe me, they were very professional but also patient and empathetic concerning the crime that took place and I never once felt judged," she added.
Learmonth was convicted in August 2022 after delays caused by Covid restrictions.
"It was a really long day when the jury went out. It came back a unanimous decision that he was found guilty and it was an unbelievable relief," Watkins said.
She described mixed emotions at his sentencing at the High Court in Stirling.
"Jordan was my friend. It was hard dealing with the betrayal of trust - that my friend could violate me in ways that he did. I still had that part of me that felt as if he was my friend."
Advocacy for Policy Change
Hayley, who runs a business in Dumfries, is advocating for Scotland to implement a searchable, public database of sex offenders similar to systems used in the United States.
She has submitted a petition to the UK parliament calling for improved public awareness and transparency regarding sexual offender risks in Scotland.
The petition states that "while systems exist in Scotland to manage sexual offenders, public awareness of these systems is low, and information is often reactive rather than accessible."
"This leaves individuals and communities unsure of how to recognise risk or take steps to protect themselves," it adds.
Hayley expressed her willingness to collaborate with Scottish ministers to effect policy changes.
The Scottish government responded:
"Public safety is paramount in the management of registered sex offenders to minimise potential risks and keep communities safe.
Offenders are managed under robust multi agency public protection arrangements, with strict notification requirements and penalties of up to five years' imprisonment for breaches."
Encouragement and Healing
Hayley hopes her story will encourage other victims to report sexual assaults.
"I got in touch with Rape Crisis in Dumfries pretty much straight away because I knew I would need support," she said.
"They have people that are trained to support individuals that have been through a crime like this.
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."
She acknowledged ongoing trauma but remains determined to contribute to safer communities.
"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," she said.
BBC Scotland News contacted Learmonth for comment but he did not respond.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line.
