Paedophile jailed for historic abuse

An elderly paedophile has been imprisoned for sexually abusing two boys.

Nicholas Kelly, 73, was convicted on two charges of lewd and libidinous practices and behaviour following a three-day trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court in August.

The offences took place at locations in Airdrie and Blantyre between 2005 and 2009 involving boys aged between 10 and 15.

Kelly had also faced charges of failing to appear for sheriff and jury proceedings on two occasions. However, during the course of the trial the fiscal depute indicated that he was no longer seeking conviction and Kelly was acquitted on these particular charges.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court last week, Kelly’s agent told Sheriff Marie Smart that his client appreciated the serious nature of the sex abuse charges and that a custodial sentence would be imposed.

Since spending time in custody Kelly had been taken to hospital “on numerous occasions.”

The social work report prepared for the court, he stated, confirmed that Kelly had been experiencing heart attacks.

The solicitor, however , said the pensioner recognised Sheriff Smart would be more concerned about the protection of the public.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Smart told Kelly: “Evidence in this trial revealed you had groomed two young boys for your own sexual satisfaction.

“You abused them when you took them out in your car at various locations.

“The impact on these two young boys was profound and no empathy at all was shown towards your victims.”

She jailed him for two years on each of the sex abuse charges, to run consecutively.

Kelly, of Kirkmuirhill, was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period.