The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Man jailed over child sex abuse
Aformer musician from Fife who “squandered” his life on drink and drugs has been jailed for more than 10 years for sexually abusing four young boys.
Craig Watson, 53, preyed on the children at locations in Burntisland between October 1996 and November 2010.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how three of Watson’s victims were aged between nine and 10 while the other was a “vulnerable adolescent”.
Watson, also of Burntisland, raped one of the youngsters and subjected the others to sexual assaults.
A court had earlier heard how he plied one victim with alcohol and then abused him as he slept.
Yesterday, Watson observed proceedings via video link from prison as judge Lady Poole praised the courage of his victims in coming forward to give evidence against him.
She said: “It was difficult for your victims to come to court and give evidence of what they had endured because of your depravity.
“They are to be commended for their courage in doing so.
“Most of them described pain at the time from what you were doing to them.
“The emotional scars of what you did will have been longer lasting.
“I have considered the criminal justice social work report I ordered.
“The report noted the planning in some of your offending.”
The judge went on: “I have also taken into account everything said on your behalf in mitigation.
“You did a YTS many years ago and had some itinerant work subsequently.
“You played the guitar and were at one time in a band.
“However, you have, in the main, chosen to squander your life on drink and occasional drug use.”
Watson had been convicted on sexual assault and rape charges during earlier proceedings at the High Court. He was also convicted of failing to turn up in person for a procedural hearing last year at the High Court in Glasgow.
Yesterday, defence solicitor advocate Gordon Martin told the court his client maintained his innocence. He also said that Watson had a drink problem.
Lady Poole told Watson that he would serve 10 years for the sexual abuse charges.
He was given a consecutive twomonth sentence for failing to turn up in court.
Watson was placed on the offenders register for life.