A rapist branded a “monster” and a “danger to children and young girls” has been jailed for 15 years for a campaign of abuse that spanned more than four decades.
James Pollard, 71, preyed on five girls in the north of Scotland between 1979 and 2022.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said the victims were all under the age of 16 when the abuse began – with the youngest just two years old.
Pollard indecently assaulted and sexually abused his first victim, indecently assaulted a second child, communicated indecently with a third, and sexually assaulted a fourth.
A fifth young victim was physically assaulted and raped.
Judge Lord Summers described Pollard’s abuse as “sustained and persistent”, saying of the fifth victim: “Mercifully, your abuse was detected and stopped before it could blight her life.”
One of the victims described Pollard as a “monster” while giving evidence.
Lord Summers said: “That is a strong word but having listened to her evidence, and the evidence of the other witnesses, it is hard to disagree with that assessment.
“You are a predatory sexual offender who took advantage of girls and young women to satisfy your own deviant sexual ends.”
Pollard, of Thurso in the Highlands, was in September found guilty of nine charges following a trial at the High Court in Inverness.
The charges included the rape of a young child, sexual assault, assault, indecent behaviour towards a girl aged between 12 and 16, communicating indecently, three counts of indecent assault, and lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour.
Lord Summers noted that Pollard continues to deny any wrongdoing.
The judge added: “Your offending stretches back over four decades and in my assessment you are likely to remain a risk to women and young girls for the remainder of your life.”
Pollard was sentenced to 15 years at the High Court in Aberdeen on Monday.
Lord Summers said the victim impact statements provided made for “difficult reading”.
The judge added: “It is clear that your offending has had devastating consequences for those affected by it.
“Your conviction for these offences is a testament to the courage and strength of those women who were prepared to give evidence to ensure that justice was done.
“It is to be hoped that these offences do not come to define them and that, with your conviction behind them, they are now able to move on and have fulfilling lives.”
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Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s procurator fiscal for high court sexual offending, said: “James Pollard poses a significant danger to children and young girls with his offending, which took place over a number of years.
“It is thanks to the bravery of these victims that this prosecution and conviction has been made possible.
“Child sexual abuse has no place in Scotland and Pollard will now face the consequences of his predatory behaviour.”
Pollard’s name has been added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and he has also been banned from contacting four of the victims.
Detective Inspector Reuben Lindsay said: “Pollard carried out a sustained campaign of sexual abuse on young females over a considerable period of time.
“His actions were despicable and he’s now being made to face the consequences.
“I want to commend the strength of the females involved in reporting his offending and throughout the legal proceedings.
“I hope his conviction and sentencing will bring them some form of justice as they continue to move forward with their lives.”