Man who abused girls in 1980s and 1990s jailed for nine years

A paedophile has been jailed for nine years after subjecting young girls to sexual abuse between 1980 and 1996.

Kenneth Polus, 75, targeted victims at locations in Inverness and a Highland village, the High Court in Edinburgh heard.

He denied a series of charges but was found guilty of five offences against three girls aged five and six, which included exposing himself to the children.

Judge Michael O'Grady KC told Polus he had been convicted of an "appalling course of sexual abuse".

The judge said: "For a period of 16 years you used and abused defenceless and vulnerable children.

"Not for one moment did you give a thought to their welfare or the damage you would do. In that at least, you have been consistent."

The judge said he noted from a background report that Polus had expressed no remorse and had blamed his victims.

He added: "There is nothing this court can do to undo the terrible things that you have done, but it is to be hoped that this process will bring some measure of closure and healing to those who have suffered at your hands."

Defence counsel David Moggach KC said Polus gave evidence at his earlier trial at the High Court in Inverness and put forward his position that the offending did not happen.

He said: "Clearly that was not accepted by the jury by their verdicts of guilty."

Polus followed the sentencing proceedings by a TV link to the courtroom from prison and could be seen shaking his head after the judge imposed a nine-year jail term.

His prison sentence was backdated to 17 February 17 when he was taken into custody at the end of his trial.