A RAPIST from Dunfermline who sexually abused young girls over the course of two decades has been jailed for 12 years.

Derek Lamond, 59, of Arthur Street, plied his child victims with drink, cigarettes and money as he subjected them to repeated abuse.

He molested two girls and carried out sex acts on them at addresses and in cars in Fife.

The former farmworker went on to rape one victim and subjected the second to an attempted rape attack.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Lamond claimed the victims had made up their accounts of abuse for financial gain.

Judge Lord Renucci told him he needed to go to prison for his crimes.

Lamond was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh. Lamond was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh. (Image: Newsquest)

Lamond, who has two previous convictions for sex offences, was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and told that he will be supervised by the authorities for three years following his release from custody.

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Passing sentence, Lord Renucci said: “The harm you have caused to the complainers has continued to affect them well into adulthood.

“This is your third conviction for sexual offences.

“You continue to deny the offences. You continue to blame your victims and suggest that their actions were motivated by financial gain.

“There is no alternative to a custodial sentence and given the nature of the offences it must be a lengthy custodial sentence.”

Lamond had denied a series of charges during a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh but was found guilty of 10 offences, including rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and indecent conduct.

The charges spanned 22 years, from 1995 to 2017, and he targeted victims in Dunfermline, Steelend and other locations in Fife.

He began abusing his first victim when she was aged just four and started touching her and carrying out sex acts.

He also got the child to carry out sex acts on him.

During the repeated abuse over years he provided her with alcohol and cigarettes.

On one occasion when the girl was aged between seven and 10 he assaulted and raped her in a parked car in Fife.

Lamond began abusing a second girl when she was aged seven and also gave her money, drink and cigarettes over a period of years.

He subjected her to sexual abuse while she was sleeping and also tried to rape the girl during an assault at a house in Fife.

During an interview with police after the abuse came to light he denied touching the victims in a sexual manner and said: "I think it has all been made up." At sentencing defence advocate John Brannigan said: “He resides with his wife and they care for an aunt who is a vulnerable older adult.

“This is a person of significant concern to Mr Lamond. He cares less about himself than about his own family.”

Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, Katrina Parkes, said: “Derek Lamond manipulated and exploited these young children in an abhorrent campaign of abuse.  

“His victims have shown great courage and strength by coming forward and reporting him to the authorities.  

“Lamond will now have to face the consequences of his actions following this prosecution and conviction.   

“I would encourage all victims of similar offending – no matter how long ago it may have occurred – to come forward, report it and seek help.     

“Scotland’s prosecution service is committed to securing justice for victims of child sexual abuse.”