May 2014 Forfar pensioner gave young girls sweets to undress An Angus pensioner who used sweets to incite two young sisters to expose themselves to him has been jailed for nine months. The prison term will form part of a three-year extended sentence on Frederick Dewars, which was necessary to protect the public from a man social workers said has “entrenched beliefs” about young girls. Dewars, who was convicted of another underage indecency offence in the 1990s, will also have his name added to the sex offenders register for 10 years. The 72-year-old, of Old Halkerton Road, Forfar, appeared for sentence before Sheriff Kevin Veal at Forfar on Thursday, having previously admitted offences that happened at a former address elsewhere in Angus last year. Dewars befriended a family and their daughters became visitors to his home. He got one of the sisters to pull her trousers and pants down on four occasions, and the other to expose her chest, but suspicions were raised when one of the youngsters spoke about what he had done. The NSPCC was contacted, and they, in turn, reported the matter to police. Dewars told police he was an “opportunist” who would look but not touch, and he admitted giving the girls biscuits and sweets to undress. Defence solicitor Nick Whelan said his client had been completely frank about his behaviour and thoughts towards youngsters, which was not always the case for such offenders. He said sending the accused to prison would not address the “entrenched beliefs” highlighted in social work reports. Sheriff Veal said the seriousness of the offences meant that custody was the only appropriate sentence. “These offences involved children of young years whose parents Mr Dewars had befriended. “This was a serious breach of trust and, because of a previous conviction for a not dissimilar offence in the 1990s, I consider custody the only appropriate disposal. “It is also important that the public is protected in the longer term and he will be under licence for a period of 27 months.” Conditions, including participation in the Tay Project for offenders and a ban on contact with anyone under 16, will be applied when he is released. March 2014 Prison warning for ‘opportunist’ paedophile pensioner A pensioner who incited two girls to remove their clothing in exchange for sweets and biscuits has been warned he is facing a jail sentence. Frederick Dewars described himself to police as an “opportunist” during questioning about the offences against the young girls, who were regular visitors to his Angus home. The 72-year-old has now been placed on the sex offenders register ahead of sentencing next month, but was told by a sheriff a previous offence of indecent assault in the 1990s meant there was “every likelihood” he will go to prison. Dewars, of Old Halkerton Road, Forfar, appeared before Sheriff Kevin Veal at Forfar on Thursday, when he admitted an indictment alleging two charges relating to offences between January and March last year at a former address elsewhere in Angus. He pleaded guilty to inducing one of the girls to participate in sexual activity and pull her trousers and pants down on four occasions, and on another single occasion inducing the other to expose her chest. Fiscal depute Hannah Kennedy said Dewars befriended the girls and their family and they would visit his home to watch TV. Last March, one of the victims showed a reluctance to go to his home and said they did not like to stay there because he told them to pull down their pants and lift up their tops. The NSPCC was contacted and the matter was reported to police. Initially the victims were extremely upset, but told investigating officers what had happened and the accused was detained. He admitted he had given them sweets and biscuits, and while he recognised it was inappropriate behaviour, he could not say why he did it. Ms Kennedy said: “He described himself as an opportunist that would look but not touch. He admitted that he would look at girls about nine or 10 years old, and that he had been on a course for those type of thoughts, adding that he tried to keep children at arm’s length.” Sheriff Veal deferred sentence until April 24 for social work reports to be obtained. “Having regard to the fact that the previous conviction before the court is one of indecent assault, there is every likelihood that a sentence of custody will be imposed in this case,” he said.