Sex abuser abandons appeal over sentence

A Fife martial arts instructor who was jailed for sexually abusing eight young girls has abandoned an appeal against his prison sentence.

Gary Goodrum was due to appear at the High Court in Edinburgh on November 13 in a bid to have his nine-year jail term reduced.

The 39-year-old was found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl, as well as seven counts of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour, following a trial in March.

The incidents took place over a 17-year period between 1999 and 2016.

The young girls were groomed by Goodrum who would flatter and coerce them into committing sexual acts at various locations including addresses in Rosyth and Hillend.

Goodrum, of Corsiehill in Perth, sobbed as he was led from the dock by G4S officers and was handed a nine-year jail term.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period by Lord Stephen Woolman following his sentencing at the High Court in Aberdeen.

Goodrum had lodged his intention to appeal against the length of his sentence.

However, he withdrew it just one week before the hearing was due to take place.