A 81-year-old Fife man has been jailed for sexually abusing children more than 50 years ago.
John Bushnell attacked seven children during a period spanning two decades.
Two of the youngsters – a boy and a girl – were abused from the age of four.
Bushnell, of Bellfield Place in Milton of Balgonie, carried out his sick crimes in the Leven area between 1955 and 1975.
An onlooker in the public gallery was scolded by a court officer after he shouted, “I hope you f***ing die” when Bushnell was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.
Prison ‘inevitable’
The court previously heard that on three occasions Bushnell told one of the boys he abused to “lie down for a tickle”, before carrying out a sex act over him.
The survivor, now an adult, was suicidal about 10 years ago and diagnosed with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
At a hearing on Friday, Sheriff Robert More told Bushnell the sentence would have been 30 months if he was being sentenced for the crimes at the time of his offending.
The predator was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a decade.
The seriousness of the conduct, the harm caused to the complainers and number of complainers involved are such that the gravity means prison is inevitable.”
— Sheriff Robert More.
The sheriff said: “Subject to one amendment, you pled guilty to seven charges, all of lewd indecent and libidinous behaviour.
“The charges represent a course of conduct.
“As well as the violation of physical integrity, it is plain the crimes have had a lasting and detrimental impact.
“The gravity is very significant.
“What is of great relevance is almost half a century has now lapsed since the last crime.
“It can’t be determined that you were in a position of trust.
“I must tell you that the seriousness of the conduct, the harm caused to the complainers and number of complainers involved are such that the gravity means prison is inevitable.
“No alternative to such sentence would be appropriate.”
Apology offered through court
The sheriff briefly left the bench after hearing mitigation from Bushnell’s lawyer, stating: “This is a very difficult case.”
Defence counsel Jonathan Crowe KC said: “Mr Bushnell is 81 years of age.
“He is a mature man.
“Mr Bushnell is a first offender.
“He recognises and regrets the impact.
“He has had sleepless nights and Mr Bushnell has suffered from depression.
“Mr Bushnell has of course accepted full responsibility. He is ashamed.
It’s simply a sad situation”
— Jonathan Crowe KC.
“He wishes me on his behalf to make a full and frank public apology.
“Mr Bushnell is a man who has had a number of jobs.
“He’s always worked and always contributed.
“He suffers from a large number of health difficulties.
“He has had a number of strokes, three in total.
“He has been assessed as low risk.
“An alternative to custody exists. It’s simply a sad situation.”
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