A Dunfermline sex offender, Ronald Davidson, who commenced the recurrent rape of his victim at the age of three has had his prison term reduced.
Child Molester Ronald Davidson, 55, received a nine-year prison sentence last October after a trial presided over by Judge Lord Weir at the High Court in Edinburgh.
A jury was informed that Davidson initially assaulted his female victim in 1982 and persisted in sexually abusing her until 1991.
Jurors were informed about his sexual abuse of a young child at a residence in Dunfermline, Fife.
Passing sentence, judge Lord Weir told Ronald Davidson that he perpetrated a “disgraceful course of sexual conduct” towards his victims.
However, paedophile sympathising lawyers for Ronald Davidson believed the sentence was excessive and that Lord Weir didn’t take into account his age at the time of offending.
Appeal judges Lord Matthews and Lord Doherty also heard their colleague didn’t consider how Davidson didn’t offend in the years between the abuse taking place and the case coming to court.
On Tuesday, the appeal judges agreed that the sentence imposed on Ronald Davidson was excessive and reduced it by two years.
Lord Matthews said: “The sentence will now be one of seven years.”
At his trial last year, Lord Weir noted that Davidson showed no remorse for his actions and told him: “The complainers have had to live with the consequences of what you did over a period of many years.”
He said: “You are aware there is no alternative to a significant custodial sentence.”
Ronald Davidson denied sexual abuse charges during proceedings but was found guilty of three offences.
He carried out indecent conduct towards the female victim from when she was aged three in 1982 until 1991 at four addresses in the Dunfermline area. Ronald Davidson molested the child and carried out sex acts on her.
He was also found guilty of raping her on various occasions at a house in Dunfermline and at a wooded area between February 1986 and February 1991.
Ronald Davidson was also convicted of a serious indecency offence against the boy on an occasion between July 1986 and July 1990 when the victim was aged between five and eight.
Defence counsel Kenneth Cloggie said: “His offending commenced when he was a child but it persisted until he was 21 years of age.”
“Sentences for this type of crime are appropriately significant and he knows that,” he told the court.
He said Ronald Davidson had a good work record and strong work ethic and has also cared for his wife for several years which must be some relief to his victim.
Ronald Davidson was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely following his sentencing.
On Tuesday, Ronald Davidson observed proceedings at the Court of Criminal Appeal via video link from prison.
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