Fife OAP who sexually assaulted four young girls is finally behind bars

A Fife pensioner, who sexually abused four young girls during a “horrendous course of conduct” spanning over 30 years, is finally behind bars.

The children were targeted by paedophile Robert Pearson (67), of Bennochy Gardens, Kirkcaldy.

One of the victims found it difficult to sleep, suffered nightmares and could not speak to anyone about what was happening to her.

However, she wrote a letter to her teacher and the police were informed.

Some of the offences took place in swimming pools in Dundee and Coatbridge as well as on a beach in Elie.

Pearson, a retired financial adviser, told one of the victims that he was going to teach them how to kiss and the 11-year-old was terrified as he forced to perform sex acts on him.

Pearson, appeared in the dock of Dunfermline Sheriff Court and admitted a string of sex offences.

On various occasions between 11^th September 1984 and 10^th September 1985, at addresses in Kirkcaldy and Burntisland and elsewhere, he used lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards a girl, then aged 13, made sexual comments to her and touched her body over and under her clothing.

On an occasion between November 1988 and November 1989, he used lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards another girl, then aged 11, by repeatedly kissing her on the mouth, instructed her to insert her tongue in his mouth, placed his penis against her naked body, compelled her to masturbate him, seized her head and compelled her to kiss his penis.

On various occasions between 1^st December 2010 and 3^rd August 2017, at various locations including Olympia Leisure Pool, Dundee, the Time Capsule swimming centre, Coatbridge and Shell Bay, Elie, he sexually assaulted a girl, by repeatedly kissing her on the mouth, compelled her to expose her naked body, touched her on the body, buttocks and vagina and exposed his genitals in a sexual manner to her.

This girl was aged just six when the abuse began.

On various occasions between 1^st January 2012 and 13^th August 2017 and the same locations as the previous charge he assaulted a fourth girl, who was aged between 4 and 10 years at the time.

He inserted his tongue in her mouth, seized her body, touched her buttocks and exposed his genitals to her in a sexual manner.

On occasions between 1^st January 2012 and 13^th August 2017, he intentionally caused the fourth girl to participate in a sexual activity by compelling her to touch and maturbate his penis.

Defence solicitor Elaine Buist said Pearson had no explanation for any of his actions. Bizarrely, he claimed he was not sexually attracted to young girls.

“He denies he is sexually attracted to children,” said Ms Buist.

She added that he now lived on his own following the end of his marriage as a result of his offending.

Sheriff Charles MacNair called for reports and refused bail describing the offences as “a horrendous course of conduct”.

Pearson was put on the sex offenders’ register.

There were cheers from the public gallery when Pearson was led away to the cells and a shout of “beast”. He will be sentenced on 15^th January.