Paedophile who carried out sex attacks on eight-year-old girl jailed for two years
Crosbie carried out a series of sex attacks on young girls
A predator who carried out a series of horror sex attacks on an eight-year-old child has been jailed and been placed on the sex offenders register.
Mark Crosbie, 52, preyed on his vulnerable young victim on occasions at a home in Loanhead, Midlothian. He also targeted two further victims.
Crosbie, of Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, was arrested and charged after one victim, now an adult, came forward to report the abuse she had suffered to the police.
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The self-employed painter and decorator denied all the allegations but was found guilty of four charges by a jury following a four day trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year.
Crosbie returned to the dock for sentencing on Friday May 15 where police officers were forced to intervene after members of Crosbie’s family shouted abuse at supporters of the victims.
Three women were forcibly removed from the court room with one shouting “are you f***ing joking me? - we know the truth” while a second hurled abuse as she was led out by a constable.
Defence agent Kenneth Woodburn told the court his client continued to maintain his innocence but “does respect the authority of the court and respects he was found guilty in this matter”.
Mr Woodburn said despite the custody threshold being crossed Crosbie could be deemed suitable for a community-based disposal including unpaid work and supervision.
Sheriff Graeme Watson told Crosbie he had been found guilty of “very serious charges” and his denial of guilt has resulted in him showing “no remorse or insight into the offending”.
The sheriff said: “I have heard first hand the effect your offending has had on these individuals, these victims. I consider that there is a high level of culpability. These were offences against children and occurred in secret.
“Again I consider the level of harm is high. This has had a profound impact on [one victim] and will have for the foreseeable future. This is offending against three victims over a number of years.
“I have concluded that no method of disposal other than custody is appropriate.”
Crosbie was jailed for 24 months and has had his name added to the sex offenders register for 10 years. Sheriff Watson also imposed three non-harassment orders banning Crosbie from contacting two of his victims for five years and the third victim for 10 years.
Crosbie was found guilty of using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards a child aged between eight and 10 on various occasions at an address at Loanhead, Midlothian, between 2004 and 2006.
He was found guilty of two charges of using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards two children aged 10 and 13 on various occasions between 1994 and 2004.
The jury also found Crosbie had conducted himself in a disorderly manner by making sexualised comments to a woman aged 18 and staring at her breasts on an occasion between 2001 and 2002.