Paedophile is behind bars for abuse campaign

Derek Smith was found guilty by jury and jailed for 38 months for indecently assaulting boy aged 10 and 12-year-old girl after gaining the trust of their families

A church-going paedophile has been jailed for sexually abusing two children.

Derek Smith was convicted of two counts of molesting the youngsters at Perth Sheriff Court earlier this year.

Yesterday he was jailed for more than three years and placed on the sex offenders register.

A jury had previously heard that the 48-year-old had carried out a three-year spell of abuse on a boy, beginning when he was just 10.

The attacks took place in Perth and Dunfermline between January 1, 2000, and 1 November 1, 2003.

Smith indecently touched the child and forced the boy to touch him, as well as forcing him to watch as Smith pleasured himself. Smith also kissed the boy on the face and neck.

The jury also found him guilty of indecently assaulting a then 12-year-old girl at an address in Leven, Fife, on a date in August 2010 by touching her intimately.

The court had previously heard that Smith was a member of a church group.

After being introduced to the children by a mutual friend, he then gained the trust of their families and was allowed to take them away on trips.

The boy, who is now a grown man in his twenties, told the court Smith attacked him in his family home, as well as on days out around the country.

Smith, of James Street, Anstruther, has previous convictions for sex crimes.

Yesterday at the court, Sheriff Fiona Tait jailed him for a total of 38 months.

She said: “Given the nature of the offence, I’m not satisfied that there’s an alternative to a custodial sentence.”

Sheriff Tait also ordered that he remain on licence for 18 months after his release and sign the sex offenders register for an indefinite period of time.

She also ruled that Smith had committed contempt of court during his trial by giving his solicitor false information, and added a further 28-day prison sentence.

Derek Smith was jailed for 38 months at Perth Sheriff Court.