COWDENBEATH man William Walls (47) has been jailed for seven years at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday after he was found guilty of the rape and sexual abuse of two young girls.

The offences happened between 1981 and 1987.

Walls, of Primmer Place, assaulted the first victim on numerous occasions when she was between the ages of 4 and 12-years-old in play areas, including a tree house, a field and an abandoned house. He raped the second girl when she was around 9 years of age and sexually abused her on numerous occasions between the ages of 7 and 11 years-old.

At the High Court solicitor advocate, Gordon Martin, defending, said Walls had claimed he had suffered problems in childhood which led to him lacking appropriate social and sexual boundaries.

He added that since the crimes had been committed Walls had gone on to become a respected individual and contributing to society with family support.

Lord Beckett told Walls: "The charges of which you were convicted were serious and there was an element of breach of trust involved.

"You committed serious sexual abuse against two young children."

The police in Fife said that the effect of Walls' actions had led to a very damaging effect on the lives of his victims.

Detective Inspector June Peebles, of the Non-Recent Child Abuse Investigations Team, said: “William Walls’ predatory behaviour had a dramatic and damaging effect on the lives of his young victims.

“He sexually abused these children for his own gratification over a period of 9 years.

“It is very difficult for victims of sexual abuse to find the courage to come forward to police to report these matters".

She added: “Non-recent abuse is particularly difficult since many people have the view that because it happened years ago, then it should be left in the past and nothing done about it.

“This sentencing is positive for all victims of non-recent abuse and demonstrates that regardless of how long ago abuse took place, the seriousness of such crimes does not diminish.

“I would like to thank the victims in this case for their bravery throughout this investigation and trial. They came forward to the police independently and a case was brought together.

“They were criticised by some members of the public but they stood strong and resolute.

Police Scotland take all reports of sexual abuse very seriously and have dedicated units specialising in non-recent child abuse investigations.