By Andrea McCallum
AN EX-CONFECTIONARY worker who demanded sex from a 12-year-old girl and performed a sex act on her has been jailed.
Stewart McArthur, 46, forced the girl onto a bed before committing indecency and a serious sexual assault.
The events only came to light after the victim’s mother found notes suggesting her daughter was contemplating suicide following the abuse.
Yesterday (Monday) at the High Court in Livingston, perverted McArthur was jailed for six years and was put on the sex offenders register for life.
Lord Bracadale said the incidents had been a “gross breach of trust”.
He said: “You have pled guilty to two very serious charges of a sexual nature in relation to a 12-year-old girl over a period of a year of frequently engaging with her in various lewd and libidinous practices.
“This was a gross breach of trust and has clearly had a profound effect on the girl.
“Clearly a custodial sentence is the only appropriate sentence. I accept that you have shown genuine shame and that you have admitted your involvement from an early stage.
“I consider that taking the two charges together the appropriate custodial sentence will be nine years in prison.”
Due to McArthur’s early plea his sentence was reduced to six years.
McArthur had previously admitted using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards the girl on various occasions during November 2002 and November 2003.
The charges included handling her breasts, kissing her on the mouth and body and inducing her to handle his private parts.
The court had previously heard that the 12-year-old girl had contemplated suicide because of the abuse and feeling like there was nothing to live for.
In 1997 McArthur was fined £400 for two indecent assaults.
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