Child abuser saved from suicide by victim is jailed

The case against Thomas Hutton was heard at Dundee Sheriff Court. Picture: Contributed

Thomas Hutton, 78, from Park Road, Dundee, was jailed for almost five years and placed on the sex offender’s register for life after admitting 12 charges detailing horrific sexual abuse of five girls and boys over the course of almost ten years.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard Hutton had tried to take his life 36 hours before he was due in court to admit the charge.

Hutton first tried to gas himself with car exhaust fumes and when that failed “swallowed every pill in his house”.

But his attempt to take his own life failed after he posted a suicide note through the door of one of his victims as well as that of his lawyer. The girl found the letter and immediately contacted police who found Hutton and took him to hospital for treatment.

Now the paedophile is starting a lengthy jail term after finally admitting the offences, which targeted victims aged between three and 12.

Hutton’s abuse began in 2005 – but was only stopped in August last year when his first victim came forward.

He was caught after one of the girls he targeted became upset when she was told she would be seeing him and told her parents of the abuse she had suffered.

That led to the other four victims coming forward before Hutton confessed.

Fiscal depute Nicola Gillespie told the court that the abuse began in 2005 against a girl aged just six.

Hutton showed the girl a film that contained scenes of a sexual nature before having her carry out a sex act on him.

The abuse of that girl lasted six years – with Hutton carrying out a series of sick attacks.

In other incidents Hutton carried out sex acts on himself in her presence – as well as exposing himself to her.