Preacher faces jail for sex abuse

A PREACHER from Edinburgh is facing jail after being convicted of a 15-year campaign of sexual abuse against youngsters.

John Smart met his three victims through the Edinburgh City Mission, gaining the trust of their parents to allow him to take their children for trips away.

But the trio recently came forward about the abuse, which began in 1987, and the 48-year-old was found guilty of the offences yesterday at the High Court in Perth.

Smart – who claimed he had no sex drive at all due to a medical condition – stood as a candidate for the Conservative Party at the 2003 Scottish elections, but did not win.

He will be sentenced in Glasgow next month.

n A paediatric nurse has been suspended after being charged with downloading and possessing child pornography. The 28-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, worked at a city intensive care ward.