Child abuser dies in custody

Published on 04/07/2012 12:00

A PENSIONER who abused children 40 years ago has died in custody.

William Speirs, 80, died at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Saturday.

He was convicted of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices in July last year and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after committing “heinous and despicable offences” against four youngsters in his care in Livingston. During his trial at Livingston Sheriff Court, Spiers’ victims gave evidence that he started abusing them when they were three years old.

After being found guilty, the wheelchair-bound pensioner was also put on licence for ten years as a registered sex offender.