A SELF pitying rapist from Kelty who was caught after his victims told police about the “terrible secrets” they were forced to keep has been jailed.

Alexander Hunter, 66, was given a nine year prison term today (Thursday) for sexually abusing two little girls at a house in the village between March 2005 and December 2016.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were aged eight and seven when he began preying on them.

He subjected them to repeated rapes and sexual assaults.

Passing sentence, Lady Ross told Hunter: “They suffered pain and fear as a consequence of your actions.

"You knew what you were doing was wrong and you made them keep terrible secrets - that was cruel.

“The harm that you inflicted upon them still affects them today. It is clear that you have left them with long lasting and serious damage.

“You still deny your offences; you show no remorse and you seem to feel sorry for yourself and nobody else.”

Jurors heard how Hunter intimidated the girls into not disclosing what he was doing to them to the authorities.

However, the children came forward and told police.

Detectives launched a probe and he was brought to justice which led to his victims giving evidence against him.

Hunter was convicted of seven charges, including rape and sexual assault, following a trial last month.

Defence advocate Kenneth Cloggie told Lady Ross that prison was inevitable for his client.

He added: “Mr Hunter continues to deny the offences.”

Lady Ross handed down a 12-year extended sentence, with nine years in custody, and placed him on the sex offenders register for life.

Hunter will be supervised by the authorities for three years following his release.

Non-harassment orders, banning Hunter from contacting or attempting to contact his victims, were also granted for an indefinite period. Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for high court sexual offences, Katrina Parkes, said: “Alexander Hunter posed a danger to young girls by exploiting his position of trust in the worst possible way. “The trauma these victims suffered was at the forefront of our minds during this prosecution.

"It is thanks to the bravery of those affected by Hunter’s offending that he has now been brought to justice. “We would encourage anyone affected by similar offending to come forward - regardless of how much time has passed.

"You will be listened to and supported as we seek to secure justice using all the tools at our disposal.”

Police Scotland Detective Constable Emma Moyes, from Fife’s Public Protection Unit, added: “Hunter showed utter disregard for the impact these crimes would have on his victims and their families. “I know it can be incredibly difficult for people to report incidents of this nature and we know how challenging this case has been for those involved.

“We are wholly committed to investigating child abuse, regardless of when the crimes took place, and will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to ensure offenders are brought to justice.”