Pensioner got rape victim pregnant 3 times

William Wood at a previous court appearance. Picture: Iain McLellan/Spindrift

Pensioner William Wood subjected his victim to repeated sex attacks in an ordeal lasting years which began when she was a six-year-old.

Wood also assaulted his victim punching her and spitting on her and threatened her.

The former forester also preyed on a second girl who was raped on various occasions over a 12-year period. She was also physically assaulted and threatened.

Wood also subjected a male to physical attacks during which he was forced to the ground and punched.

Wood, formerly of Craig Dews, Newton Stewart, carried out the catalogue of abuse in the Dumfries and Galloway area between 1970 and 1991.

A judge told him he had been convicted of the sexual and physical abuse of the three victims following an eight-day trial.

Lord Stewart said at the High Court in Edinburgh: “The story that the jurors heard was one of sub-human depravity and tear-jerking misery.”

A jury at the High Court in Glasgow had earlier unanimously found him guilty of a total of nine charges of rape, attempted rape, threats and assault.

“You remain in denial. You sit there shaking your head today. You have never expressed regret or remorse,” the judge told the pensioner as he sat in the dock during sentencing.

Lord Stewart said the seriousness of the offending and its duration meant there was really no option but to impose lengthy custodial sentences.

He pointed out that by denying the charges Wood had made victims come to court and relive their experiences.

Bearded Wood, who has one previous conviction for benefit fraud, appeared in the dock today with the aid of a walking stick.

Defence solicitor advocate Brian Gilfedder said Wood had given evidence at his trial and denied in most respects the allegations against him and continued to do so in a background report prepared on him.

“Standing his evidence and what is set out in the report there is not a great deal I can say by way of mitigation,” he said.

He said it was accepted that a lengthy prison sentence was “inevitable” but asked the judge to take into account the passage of time since the offending.

Advocate depute Jane Farquharson earlier told jurors that Wood had behaved in a way that could not be tolerated in a civilised society.

She said: “He has a capacity for violence and control and lack of concern for anyone else, but himself.”

The prosecutor said the impact for his victims was “far reaching”.

Wood was placed on the sex offenders’ register.