Arbroath OAP found guilty of sex offences against schoolgirls

Pensioner carried out assaults over 24-year period

A pensioner is behind bars after jurors convicted him of a string of sexual assault offences against three little girls over a 24 year period.

Alexander Moore, 82, raped a child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, on various occasions at a house in Arbroath between June 2000 and July 2005.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Moore also sexually assaulted another two schoolgirls, who also cannot be identified, at a location in the town.

He also repeatedly raped one of the girls in a sickening attack.

The court heard how Moore started abusing his victims in June 1982.

He was finally brought to justice after the girls spoke to police about what happened to them.

On Friday, Moore, of Hepburn

“

You have been convicted of very serious offences and the prison service has facilities to deal with you. LORD ERICHT

Crescent, Arbroath, was convicted on a total of six charges. He had denied all charges against him.

But jurors took just two hours to find him guilty on all charges.

Following conviction, prosecution lawyer Peter Ferguson QC told the court that Moore had previously served three months for “sexual” offences.

He has also spent time on the sex offenders register.

Defence solicitor advocate Chris Fyffe asked for bail for his client. He said Moore had health problems.

Mr Fyffe added: “He has been convicted of serious sexual offences and it will result in a lengthy custodial sentence.

“Given the exceptional circumstances of his ill health, I would invite your lordship to extend bail to him.” Lord Ericht refused.

He then deferred sentence for the court to obtain reports.

He added: “Your status has now changed. You have been convicted of very serious offences and the prison service has facilities to deal with you.

“I will now remand you in custody.” As he was being led to the prison cells, Moore, who was also placed on the sex offenders register, waved to a family member who was sitting in court.

He will be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on June 15.