Church organist jailed for abusing children

A CHURCH organist has been jailed for four years after subjecting boys to a catalogue of sexual abuse.

Robert Brown preyed on youngsters over a 13-year period carrying out sex acts on them and exposing them to pornographic materiel.

One victim later accused Brown, 64, of being a paedophile and he replied: “Yes, I suppose I am.”

Brown later sent an email to another victim claiming he could not remember what he had done but apologised and said it was “vile and horrible and unthinkable”.

Brown, of Maple Road, Perth, earlier admitted two charges of indecent behaviour and two of indecent assault committed against two boys between 1991 and 2004 at addresses in his home city.

One victim was seven when the abuse began and the second was targeted by Brown from the age of 10.

A judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh: “The charges to which you have pled guilty are plainly very serious ones representing a long course of sexual abuse.”

Lord Burns pointed out Brown had previous convictions for similar types of offences. The judge said that one victim had given an insight into the effect it had upon him and said it was “catastrophic”.

Lord Burns said Brown had been assessed as being a significant risk of future re-conviction.

The judge told him he would have faced a six year prison term but for his pleas. He also added that Brown would be under supervision for a further three years. Brown was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.