80-year-old child abuser jailed 40 years after crime

William Speirs was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for the "heinous and despicable offences" against four youngsters in his care.

The frail, wheelchair-bound pensioner was also put on licence for ten years as a registered sex offender.

He gave the thumbs-up to a relative in court as he was wheeled away to the cells yesterday.

A jury at Livingston Sheriff Court earlier found Speirs guilty of six historic offences.

His victims gave evidence that he started abusing them when they were three years old.

He forced them to play "sick games" which resulted in them being beaten and molested.

The court heard that he continued to abuse them throughout their childhood, submitting them to degrading sex acts and viciously assaulting them when they refused to co-operate.

The children guarded their secret for more than 40 years before going to the police in 2009. They are now aged between 45 and 52.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Martin Edington told Speirs: "You had no interest in children other than to abuse them.

"You're right to expect a custodial sentence. A custodial sentence would reflect society's condemnation of such behaviour."

The sheriff highlighted that Speirs had escaped justice for 30 to 40 years, continued to deny his guilt and showed no concern for his victims.

He added: "The consequences for the children may properly be described as devastating, but perhaps your very belated conviction will afford them some comfort."

Outside the court, a spokesman for the victims described the sentence as "fair".

He added: "We didn't care how long he got as long as he was found guilty. It was justice.

"Today has given us a sense of closure, that's the most important thing. We're just happy it's all over with."

Speirs was earlier found guilty of two charges of lewd and libidinous behaviour and four counts of assault.

The offences were committed at his home in Livingston, West Lothian, and at Craigshill Social Club, Livingston, over a ten-year period.