Foster Carer Jailed For Child Abuse

A sex offender approved as a foster carer who then abused young girls in his care in Aberdeen has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. The man in his 50s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of molesting three children in the 1990s.

{mosimage}After his trial, it emerged he had already been convicted for lewd and libidinous behaviour in the 1970s. His sentence was greeted with a round of applause from members of the public at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. The court heard how on separate occasions he had gone into the three girls bedrooms and sexually assaulted them.

Sheriff Colin Harris told him: “You have been convicted by the jury of serious offences against young girls entrusted in your care by the local authority. They were vulnerable, separated from their parents, and living with strangers, but you took advantage of them by preying on them and in doing so you breached their trust. There is no other alternative for the court but to impose a sentence of imprisonment.”

It emerged he had previously been found guilty of lewd and libidinous practices against a child in the 1970s. He was fined £80 after being found guilty of lewd and libidinous practices. Aberdeen City Council admitted it knew of the conviction when the man and his wife were approved as foster parents, but did not think he had posed a risk.

A spokesman said in an earlier statement after conviction: “Aberdeen City Council is committed to securing the safety of children and young people in its care by ensuring that every reasonable precaution has been taken to keep children safe from harm. Aberdeen City Council wishes to express its sincere regret at the nature of the offences and the distress that this has caused the young women involved.”