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Man guilty of child abuse over three decades | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Midlothian man has been found guilty of abusing two women throughout their childhood and teenage years. | A Midlothian man has been found guilty of abusing two women throughout their childhood and teenage years. |
John McCallum, 53, from Loanhead, was convicted of a series of serious sexual offences committed from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. | John McCallum, 53, from Loanhead, was convicted of a series of serious sexual offences committed from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. |
The victims, who are twin sisters, were as young as six when the abuse began. | The victims, who are twin sisters, were as young as six when the abuse began. |
Police paid tribute to 40-year-olds Tracy and Rachel Steadwood, who waived their right to anonymity to encourage other victims of abuse to come forward. | Police paid tribute to 40-year-olds Tracy and Rachel Steadwood, who waived their right to anonymity to encourage other victims of abuse to come forward. |
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the sisters kept quiet for years about the abuse. | The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the sisters kept quiet for years about the abuse. |
The jury was told how McCallum, married with two daughters, molested them during visits to a mobile caravan parked at a travellers' site in Edinburgh, at a house in Loanhead, and the cab of his lorry. | The jury was told how McCallum, married with two daughters, molested them during visits to a mobile caravan parked at a travellers' site in Edinburgh, at a house in Loanhead, and the cab of his lorry. |
In a joint statement, the women said: "It has taken a lot of years and bravery to come forward and tell police about what happened, but we did so, and justice has done us proud. | In a joint statement, the women said: "It has taken a lot of years and bravery to come forward and tell police about what happened, but we did so, and justice has done us proud. |
"I would encourage any victims of abuse who have not reported their ordeal to the police to come forward. We did, and we finally have justice." | "I would encourage any victims of abuse who have not reported their ordeal to the police to come forward. We did, and we finally have justice." |
Det Ch Insp Kenny Gray said the pair had shown "tremendous bravery" to come forward to the police. | Det Ch Insp Kenny Gray said the pair had shown "tremendous bravery" to come forward to the police. |
He said: "Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe, and we will carry out a thorough and robust investigation whenever we receive a report of sexual abuse, regardless of how long ago it happened. | He said: "Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe, and we will carry out a thorough and robust investigation whenever we receive a report of sexual abuse, regardless of how long ago it happened. |
"Likewise we will always act on any information we receive about anyone who is at risk of abuse. | "Likewise we will always act on any information we receive about anyone who is at risk of abuse. |
"I would appeal to anyone who has suffered abuse in the past, who has not reported the matter, to get in touch with Police Scotland on 101, or make a report through a third party organisation such as Rape Crisis Scotland, or Women's Aid." | "I would appeal to anyone who has suffered abuse in the past, who has not reported the matter, to get in touch with Police Scotland on 101, or make a report through a third party organisation such as Rape Crisis Scotland, or Women's Aid." |
Judge Lord Boyd remanded McCallum in custody to return to the court for sentencing later this month. | Judge Lord Boyd remanded McCallum in custody to return to the court for sentencing later this month. |
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