Rapist who told girl he wanted to marry her and attacked children while they slept handed jail term

A rapist who told a child that he wanted to marry her has been jailed.

Alan Todd subjected three young children to sexual abuse at various addresses in Edinburgh between 2001 and 2019.

The 54-year-old was found guilty of five charges involving children aged between seven and 13 following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in October.

The cleaner was found to have targeted the first two children while they were asleep in their beds.

He also wrote inappropriate letters and a card to one of the victims, professing his love to her and stating that he wished to marry her.

Todd later assaulted the same child by seizing her by the throat.

He sexually assaulted and raped the third victim, who was under the age of 13, repeatedly over three years.

Todd was arrested and charged in May 2020.

On Wednesday, the High Court in Edinburgh gave him a 13-year extended sentence with ten years in custody.

His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Non-harassment orders banning Todd from contacting or attempting to contact the victims were granted for 15 years.

Scotland’s procurator fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, Katrina Parkes said: “Alan Todd posed a danger to young children by exploiting a position of trust in the worst possible way.

“The trauma these victims suffered was at the forefront of our minds during this prosecution.

“It is thanks to the bravery of those affected by Todd’s offending that he has now been brought to justice.

“We would encourage anyone affected by similar offending to come forward – regardless of how much time has passed.

“You will be listened to and supported as we seek to secure justice using all the tools at our disposal.”

Detective constable Jill Urquhart, of Police Scotland, added: “Alan Todd is an abusive individual whose offending spanned many years.

“I commend the strength and resilience of the victims in this case and hope his conviction provides them with some sense of closure.

“I urge anyone who has been a victim of a sexual crime, regardless of when it happened, to come forward and report it to us. All reports are thoroughly investigated.

“We have specially trained officers who, alongside our partner agencies, will support you throughout.”