DOUGLAS HARDIE ARBROATH CHILD SEX ABUSE SENTENCE SHOCKER

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Arbroath, a pensioner named Douglas Hardie was sentenced to seven years in prison yesterday for a series of heinous child sex offenses. The sentencing followed a disturbing revelation made by Hardie himself during a session at a sex offenders' project, where he admitted to multiple instances of abusing young girls over several decades.

Despite pleas from his legal representatives to consider his advanced age and ongoing health issues, including prostate cancer, the judge overseeing the case decided that a prison term was necessary to serve justice and protect the public. The court heard that Hardie, aged 70, had a long history of offending that spanned from the 1970s to the early 2000s.

Hardie confessed to having engaged in sexual activities with a girl aged 12 at a village in Angus during the 1970s. The abuse was not a one-time event but continued over a period of three years, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior. Additionally, he admitted to an indecency offense involving an 11-year-old girl at his residence in Arbroath in 2001. This incident occurred after he lured the young girl away from a local park, further demonstrating his predatory tendencies.

A background report presented to the court painted a disturbing picture of Hardie’s mindset. It revealed that he viewed young girls as 'sexual objects,' a perception that contributed to his high risk of re-offending. The report underscored the seriousness of his crimes and the potential danger he posed to the community, justifying the lengthy prison sentence handed down by the judge.