A paedophile who preyed on three young girls during a campaign of sexual abuse spanning almost two decades has been jailed for 10 years.
Alan Todd, 54, targeted the youngsters at various addresses in Edinburgh between 2001 and 2019.
The schoolgirls were aged between seven and 13 when the abuse began.
Warning: This story contains details of sexual assault and rape.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Todd attacked the first two victims while they were asleep in their beds.
The cleaner also wrote inappropriate letters and a card to one of the girls, professing his love and stating that he wished to marry her.
Todd later assaulted the same child by seizing her by the throat.
COPFS said the third victim, who was under the age of 13, was repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped over the course of three years.
Todd was arrested and charged in May 2020.
Detective Constable Jill Urquhart branded the sex predator an “abusive individual”.
The Police Scotland officer added: “I commend the strength and resilience of the victims in this case and hope his conviction provides them with some sense of closure.”
Todd was last month found guilty of five charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
He was convicted of two counts of indecent behaviour towards girls aged between 12 and 16, along with the rape and sexual assault of a young child.
He was also found guilty of a single charge of assault, as well as lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour.
Judge Lord Lake said of Todd’s repeated rapes of one girl: “This was an appalling crime showing no regard at all for your victim and showed only an interest in satisfying your sexual desires.”
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The judge said Todd’s behaviour had caused trauma to his victims which had been “long-lasting and has affected their lives in many ways”.
Lord Lake added: “Your counsel has drawn attention to your work history and limited criminal record.
“He has also noted that you have expressed that you are repulsed by the crimes of which you were convicted and consider that they are despicable.
“The nature of your crimes is such that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”
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Todd was handed a 13-year extended sentence when he returned to the dock on Wednesday, with 10 years in jail and three years on licence once released back into the community.
His name was added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and in addition he was banned from contacting his victims for 15 years.
Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offending, said: “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 Todd’s offending that he has now been brought to justice.”
