41-year-old man convicted following prolonged period of sexual abuse

Robert Gill (41) who subjected six children to a prolonged period of sexual abuse was found guilty of 12 offences committed between 1993 and 2014 in the Edinburgh and Bo’Ness areas at the High Court in Livingston yesterday.

These include two counts of rape, three counts of lewd and libidinous practices, three indecent assaults, coercing a child to participate in sexual activity, and possessing and taking indecent images of children.

He also pleaded guilty to distributing an indecent image of a child, and to supplying and producing Class B drugs.

All of the victims were between the ages of 12 and 15 at the time of the offences.

Detective Sergeant Jon Pleasance of Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “Gill preyed on a number of boys who he plied with drugs and coerced in order to carry out horrific sexual assaults.

“I want to pay tribute to the victims who have shown absolute courage throughout the investigation and trial. Gill has today been convicted of these heinous crimes and I hope this brings some sense of closure for them.

“Police Scotland treats all reports of sexual crime very seriously and, regardless of when the offences occurred, we will investigate thoroughly and professionally to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.”

Gill will be sentenced on 9 March