FREDERICK DEWARS, FORFAR PAEDOPHILE, SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS IN ANGUS

In May 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving a pensioner from Forfar, Angus, who was convicted of engaging in inappropriate and predatory behavior towards young girls. The individual, identified as 72-year-old Frederick Dewars, was found guilty of using sweets as a means to lure and manipulate two young sisters into exposing themselves to him. The incidents took place at his residence on Old Halkerton Road, where Dewars had established a relationship with a local family, leading to the girls becoming frequent visitors to his home.

Over the course of several encounters, Dewars coerced one of the sisters to pull down her trousers and pants on four separate occasions. Additionally, he persuaded the other to expose her chest. The misconduct was uncovered when one of the young victims confided in someone about what had transpired, raising suspicions that prompted the involvement of the NSPCC. The child protection organization subsequently reported the matter to the police, initiating a formal investigation.

During police interviews, Dewars admitted to being an “opportunist,” claiming that he would look at the girls but not physically touch them. He also confessed to giving the girls biscuits and sweets as a means to encourage their participation in the inappropriate acts. His defense lawyer, Nick Whelan, highlighted that Dewars had been entirely frank about his behavior and thoughts, which is not always the case with offenders of this nature. Whelan argued that incarcerating Dewars would not address the underlying issues, particularly his entrenched beliefs about young girls, as indicated in social work reports.

At a sentencing hearing held before Sheriff Kevin Veal in Forfar, Dewars was sentenced to nine months in prison. This custodial sentence was part of a broader three-year extended sentence designed to protect the public from a man with a history of similar offenses, including a previous conviction for underage indecency in the 1990s. The court also ordered Dewars to be added to the sex offenders register for a period of ten years.

Sheriff Veal emphasized the gravity of the offenses, noting that they involved children of a very young age, whom Dewars had befriended and betrayed trust. The sheriff stated, “This was a serious breach of trust and, because of a previous conviction for a not dissimilar offence in the 1990s, I consider custody the only appropriate disposal.” The court also imposed conditions upon Dewars’s release, including participation in the Tay Project for offenders and a ban on contact with anyone under 16. Furthermore, Dewars will be subject to a license period of 27 months, during which he will be monitored to prevent further offenses.

Earlier in March 2014, Dewars had been warned by the authorities about the potential for a jail sentence following his actions involving the same young girls. During police questioning, Dewars described himself as an “opportunist,” acknowledging that he would look at young girls but claimed he would not physically touch them. The police investigation revealed that Dewars had induced the girls to remove their clothing in exchange for sweets and biscuits, further highlighting the predatory nature of his conduct.

He pleaded guilty to charges of inducing one girl to participate in sexual activity and to expose herself on four occasions, as well as inducing the other girl to expose her chest on a separate occasion. The victims, who were regular visitors to Dewars’s home, expressed their discomfort and reluctance to stay there, especially after one of them confided that Dewars had instructed them to pull down their pants and lift their tops.

The court was informed that Dewars had previously been convicted of indecent assault in the 1990s, which significantly influenced the decision to impose a custodial sentence. The case underscores the ongoing concerns about safeguarding children from individuals who exploit their trust and innocence, especially those with a history of similar offenses.