June 2012 Paedophile dies in prison custody in hospital A paedophile who was jailed last year at the age of 80 for sex attacks carried out more than 40 years ago, has died in custody. William Speirs was convicted at Livingston Sheriff Court last July of offences against four children. A trial had heard he had begun abusing his victims when they were just three-years-old. The Scottish Prison Service said he died at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Saturday. August 2011 Pensioner (80) is jailed for vile sexual abuse against children AN 80-year-old man convicted of abusing kids 40 years ago has been jailed for his crimes. William Speirs was sentenced to two-and-a half-years in prison for what a sheriff described as the “heinous and despicable offences” against four youngsters in his care. The wheelchair-bound pensioner was also put on licence for 10 years as a registered sex offender. A jury at Livingston Sheriff Court earlier found Speirs guilty of six historic offences. His victims gave evidence that he started abusing one of the children when they were only three-years-old. He forced them to play “sick games” which resulted in them being beaten and molested. The court heard that he continued to abuse them throughout their childhood, submitting them to degrading sex acts and viciously assaulting them when they refused to co-operate. His victims, now aged between 45 and 52, guarded their dark secret for more than 40 years before going to the police in 2009. A lengthy investigation resulted in Speirs, of Craigshill, Livingston, being charged with a series of violent and indecent acts. A jury at the court found him guilty of two charges of lewd and libidinous behaviour, and four counts of assault. The offences were committed at Speirs’ former home and at Craigshill Social Club in Livingston, where he was a committee member. Passing sentence, Sheriff Martin Edington told Speirs: “You had no interest in children other than to abuse them. “You’re right to expect a custodial sentence. A custodial sentence would reflect society’s condemnation of such behaviour.” The sheriff highlighted that Speirs had escaped justice for 30 to 40 years, continued to deny his guilt and showed no concern for his victims. He added: “The consequences for the children may properly be described as devastating, but perhaps your very belated conviction will afford them some comfort.” Outside the court, a spokesperson for the victims described the sentence as “fair”. They added: “We didn’t care how long he got as long as he was found guilty. It was justice. “This has given us a sense of closure, that’s the most important thing. We’re just happy it’s all over with.”