Man abused five young girls over more than two decades

A man convicted of abusing young girls has been locked up.

James Neill, 82, from Bathgate, West Lothian, had his bail revoked after police took him into protective custody.

He had denied committing six serious sexual offences against five girls over a 26-year period but was found guilty after a jury trial.

When his crimes were made public, angry people mobbed his home.

Video footage of the confrontation showed a member of the group confronting him at the door of his house, with Neill brandishing a weapon.

The paedophile targeted the five school girls aged between five and 12 at the time of the historic abuse between May 12, 1977 and May 24, 2023.

Neill was due to be sentenced at Livingston Sheriff Court on Thursday, April 30, but his lawyer asked for an adjournment to allow counsel to be instructed to enter a plea in mitigation.

Because of problems with establishing a video link to Addiewell Prison, where Neill is currently being held on remand, the case was dealt with in his absence.

Sheriff Jane Farquharson adjourned the hearing for the accused to appear before her on Tuesday, May 5.