Highlands sex predator jailed for decades-old crimes

HIGHLANDS SEX PREDATOR JAILED FOR DECADES-OLD CRIMES

A sex predator, Robert Shepherd, who preyed on children in Highland communities including Milton more than thirty years ago, was sentenced to eight years in prison yesterday after he claimed that his victims had all lied about him.

Shepherd, aged 68, attempted to commit rape during an ordeal of abuse and also molested two other children—a girl and a boy.

Although he denied the crimes, he was convicted of three counts of indecency and one of attempted rape following a trial.

Judge Lord Armstrong stated: "You have been convicted of four charges involving the calculating, manipulative and predatory sexual abuse of three children.

You continue to deny any responsibility and assert that your victims are lying." Shepherd’s crimes took place between 1979 and 1983 when the youngest victim, a boy, was just five years old, and the two girls were aged six and eight.

Shepherd, who was assessed as posing a medium risk of re-offending, was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

An NSPCC spokesperson emphasized the devastating impact of such abuse and noted that it is never too late for survivors to seek justice.