A “depraved” former prison officer who denied having a sexual attraction to children and instead insisted he abused two young girls for “a sense of danger and excitement” has been jailed for 13 years.
Russell Maitland, 37, admitted a number of offences, including raping and sexually abusing one girl and sexually assaulting a second.
A court heard the first victim was sexually assaulted between the ages of four and 12 and raped between the ages of seven and 11.
The second victim was sexually abused between the ages of four and six.
Judge Summers told Maitland: “The charges to which you have pled guilty include charges involving a horrific catalogue of sexual violence perpetrated against two girls.”
The judge said he was concerned with the criminal justice social work report, which noted while Maitland accepted responsibility for the offences, he denied having a sexual attraction to children.
Judge Summers stated: “You suggest these offences were committed because of need for ‘a sense of danger and excitement’. That is difficult to accept.”
The judge noted that Maitland’s abuse of the second girl continued despite the first victim having reported his behaviour to Police Scotland.
He stated Maitland’s conduct was for his “own deviant sexual ends”.
Judge Summers made reference to the victim impact statements, noting the girls “each struggle on a daily basis” due to Maitland’s abuse.
The judge said: “In relation to each of these children your offending was persistent and pervasive.
“It was carried out on a number of occasions over a number of years.
“Your offending was calculated and it was predatory. It was almost unimaginably depraved. It is hard to comprehend the harm that this will have caused.”
The offences took place in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, and in Aberdeen.
Maitland was handed a 16-year extended sentence at the High Court in Aberdeen on Tuesday, with 13 years in jail and three years on licence once released back into the community.
He was also added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and was banned from contacting his victims.
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Judge Summers stated: “Sexual crimes such as these involving children are particularly abhorrent.
“Such abuse is not acceptable, and it is the responsibility of the court to reflect society’s disapprobation of such behaviour.”
He added: “Your conviction for these offences stands as a testament to the courage and strength of these girls who were prepared to give evidence to ensure that justice was done.
“It is to be hoped that following your conviction they will be able to move on and that these offences do not come to define them.”
It is understood Maitland had worked at HMP Grampian.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said he was suspended while under investigation by Police Scotland and is now no longer employed by the agency.
A SPS spokesperson added: “We recognise the profound and lasting impact such crimes have on survivors.”
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Katrina Parkes, procurator fiscal for high court sexual offences, branded Maitland a “sexual predator who preyed on vulnerable young children”.
She added: “It is thanks to the courage of the victims that this prosecution and conviction have been made possible.
“Maitland has now been held accountable for his depraved behaviour, which I hope brings some comfort to those affected by his offending.
“We are committed to securing justice for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of who the offender may be.”
