| Angus MacKenzie Small (59), Melrose Terrace, admitted that between August 26 and November 1, 1971, he used lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour involving one of the girls and abused a second girl in similar fashion between November 1, 1971, and August 25, 1978.
The court had heard the girls were eight and six when the abuse started.
He told the first girl she was his special girl and the second girl she was his favourite.
Neither of the abused girls said anything about it at the time but found it difficult to deal with as adults and the matter was eventually reported to police.
Small has also admitted failing to appear in court on April 14 for a first calling of the case.
A warrant was granted for his arrest and police found notes indicating his intention to kill himself.
Small called his ex-wife from a phone box in Salisbury on April 27.
Police traced the call and he was arrested within minutes.
Advocate Tim Niven-Smith said it was apparent from reports, including a psychiatric assessment, that Small would require to be under supervision for some time.
The question, he said, was whether it was supervision post-custody or whether the public interest would be better served by supervision in the community starting immediately.
Mr Niven-Smith said the risk Small presented could only be effectively managed in the community.
A short custodial sentence would only allow a 12-month period of supervision after release and an extended sentence was not open to the sheriff as legislation allowing them did not apply because of the age of the offences.
Sheriff Munro said she had reached the conclusion only a lengthy period of imprisonment was appropriate.
He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for abusing the first of the girls, 27 months for abusing the second and a further eight for failing to appear in court, making the total of 53 months.
Small was also placed on the register of sex offenders indefinitely. |
