The brave victim of a sick sex offender has spoken out to let other survivors know they are not alone.

Kyran Harvie, from Saltcoats, has waived his right to lifelong anonymity as a survivor of sexual abuse to tell people ‘it’s okay not to be okay’, following the caging of registered sex offender Stephen Cannon.

The abuse made the 18-year-old want to take his own life, but he has told the Herald how, with the support of his friends and family, he is overcoming his abuse.

Having met on an online Ayr United fan page, Kyran told how Cannon used a fake name to hide the fact he was already a registered sex offender, jailed in 2015 for trying to rape a 15-year-old boy.

Cannon, formerly of James Street, Dalry, claimed his name was Stephen Bryan as he groomed the youngster through Facebook.

He waited until Kyran’s 18th birthday before inviting him to meet, taking advantage of the boy’s vulnerable nature.

His mum, Pauline, explained how Kyran has the maturity level of a 12 or 13-year-old and he was trusting of everyone he met.

He would emotionally manipulate Kyran, preying on his kindness and making him feel guilty.

Cannon took him back to his home - locking the door and closing all the curtains and blinds once they were in the upstairs flat.

The pervert made advances towards the teenager, squeezing his bottom and asking if he wanted to go to bed with him - before holding his victim’s hand and trying to kiss him.

Kyran said: “I didn’t know where to turn. I felt like I could have done something.

“I felt disgusted with myself for letting him do what he did, even though I told him no.

“I felt like it was my fault.”

The 18-year-old wants to spread the word that survivors of sexual abuse are not alone.

He told the Herald: “For me, talking about it helps get my point of view across and maybe help others in the same situation.

“I want to speak about it, and not hide it away from myself or anyone else.

“Talking about it has helped me so much, I was rock bottom, I wanted to commit suicide.

“Speaking up is a big thing, to make sure people in the same situation as me are heard and can speak out, I think that’s the most important thing for me.”

Kyran made a sign which read ‘free high fives for surviving sexual abuse’ and reached out to people on Ayr High Street.

He said he will always remember Cannon’s ‘evil stare’.

Kyran said: “It was frightening at the time, but now I am starting to overcome him.”

READ MORE: Dalry catfish pervert jailed for preying on teen through Ayr United fan-page

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