A SALTCOATS child molester and paedophile Robert Brechin who repeatedly preyed on a vulnerable teenage girl has been jailed for more than seven years.
Pensioner Robert Brechin was snared after the victim confessed to her head teacher what had happened.
The 72-year-old pleaded guilty last month to the sexual assault and rape of the child.
It emerged at a sentencing hearing at the High Court in Glasgow today that Robert Brechin suggested there would have been “no impact” on his victim from his crimes.
Lord Matthews locked him up for seven years and four months.
The term was cut from 11 years due to Robert Brechin admitting his guilt.
The abuse occurred between January 2021 and September 2023 in Kilbirnie.
Prosecutor Neil McCulloch said the victim was described as “vulnerable”.
The girl got to know Robert Brechin after she liked his dog that he had at the time.
Robert Brechin first struck as the youngster walked with him at a canal path.
Mr McCulloch told the hearing the youngster “did not know how to react”.
The OAP continued the abuse with the girl later stating it happened “a lot”.
The pensioner also took photos of her in a state of undress.
At one stage, Robert Brechin told the girl he felt “guilty” due to her age, but stated she should keep quiet as he would “get into trouble”.
However, in 2023, she confided in her head teacher before police were alerted.
Robert Brechin, of Saltcoats, was later arrested but made no comment to officers.
Gillian Ross KC, defending, told the hearing on Wednesday: “There is a suggestion in [pre-sentencing social work report] that he has no victim empathy.
“The writer goes as far as saying that he [Robert Brechin] feels there would be no impact.
“He advises me that he struggled to understand and that he does recognise there would be some impact on the girl.”
Lord Matthews also imposed a non-harassment order banning Robert Brechin from approaching or contacting the victim. He was also put on the sex offenders register.
Both were for an indefinite period.
The judge said the girl has since been “unable to concentrate fully at school” as well as feeling “sad and depressed” at what happened.
Lord Matthews told Robert Brechin: “You abused her on a regular basis.”
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