A Moray pensioner found guilty of serial child abuse was continuing to protest his innocence as he was sentenced to 58 months in jail at Elgin Sheriff Court on Friday.
William Grant had been found guilty of targeting one of his victims over a five-year period in Aberdeen, while a second victim was abused at a lay-by on the A96 between Buckie, Fochabers and Elgin over a two-year period until she was 14.
Grant’s third victim was in her early teens when abused in Elgin over a period of one year.
The former construction worker had denied charges of using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards the girls – but a jury found the 71-year-old of Robertson Road in Elgin guilty.
Ahead of his sentencing Grant’s advocate Bill Adam reminded the court that the most serious allegation he had faced, one of intent to rape, had been withdrawn.
But Sheriff Susan Raeburn condemned Grant for the ordeal he had forced his three victims to relive during his trial and his denial of guilt “without thought of the consequences to your victims.”
Sentencing Grant the Sheriff said: “You remain in denial of your wrongdoing, notwithstanding the unanimous guilty verdict of the jury.
“It makes rehabilitation all the more difficult to achieve, with a risk of re-offending.”
Grant will remain under a two-year supervision order on his release from prison.