Abuser Dousse may leave other victims who are yet to speak out

Jailed child rapist quizzed by police over more alleged offences in past

Police investigated more potential victims of an Arbroath child rapist, The Courier can reveal.

Former soldier Arnold Dousse was jailed for seven years at the High Court in Edinburgh for a sickening catalogue of historical sex crimes against children.

It has emerged that several further potential victims were interviewed about alleged offences dating back to the 1970s.

There was a lack of evidence to prosecute Dousse, who spent his retirement working on a voluntary basis with vulnerable adults.

As part of the investigation, police also carried out inquiries at his workplace for evidence of any wrongdoing.

Detective Constable Colin Fraser, of the public protection unit, Tayside division, said: “Investigation into Dousse’s offending, which spanned several years, was complex and protracted and involved interviewing several potential victims and witnesses which was particularly harrowing for the victims and their families.

“The conviction and sentence is a testament to their bravery in coming forward.”

Dousse, 69, of Woodley Caravan Park, Arbroath, was found guilty after trial of four charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices against children from 1975 to 1981.

The charges included the rape of one boy when he was just six.

It is understood one of the children Dousse was found guilty of abusing subsequently took his own life.

Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said: “I would be extremely disturbed to find out that a victim of this monster has taken their life while waiting for justice.

“As in other cases of this kind, it’s very likely that there are other child victims who have suffered their whole lives in silence. That is a travesty in itself.

“Prosecutors have done an excellent job in getting this man off the streets.

“But if there are other crimes hidden in the past, I expect them to exhaust every avenue to find them.”

Dousse has only accepted responsibility “for some of these offences” but continues to deny the majority of his crimes.

His actions were first reported to police in 1996 and he was interviewed twice and made certain admissions which at that time were not enough to bring criminal charges.

In 2009 Dousse attended out of the blue at Arbroath Police Station and made further admissions.