Man found guilty of horrific child abuse against two young girls at addresses in Sutherland and Fife

A Sutherland man has been found guilty after a five-day trial of seven charges involving the horrific sexual, physical and emotional abuse of two young girls.

John Spence, Rowan Croft, Tirryside, Lairg, went on trial before Sheriff James Williamson at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Monday, June 9.

Spence committed the offences over a 15-year period from May 2000 to November 2015 at various addresses in Sutherland and Fife.

The court heard he shouted and swore at the girls and made derogatory and inappropriate sexual comments in their presence.

He also wilfully ill-treated and neglected them, making them sit on the floor to eat and restricting their food.

Both girls had to endure him pulling down their lower clothing and repeatedly striking their buttocks and vagina.

On one occasion Spence instructed one of the girls to remove her clothing. He kicked her in the vagina, penetrated her with a firearm and thrust it in and out, causing injury.

On another occasion he grabbed one of the girls by the collar and lifted her off the ground. He also held her head at a running tap. He also threatened to shoot one of the girls’ mother and threatened to harm and kill her pet dog.

Sheriff Williamson deferred sentencing until July 10 for social work reports and an assessment for a restriction of liberty order. He ordered that Spence be put on the Sex Offenders Register. Bail was continued.

Following the guilty verdicts, defence agent Duncan McPhie said Spence was a first offender, had been on bail for more than two years and had no other criminal cases.