William King convicted of abusing two girls and a boy in Edinburgh and Fife

A convicted sex offender has been jailed again for abusing three children.

William King preyed on two girls and a boy in Edinburgh and Dalgety Bay in Fife between 1982 and 2000.

The 57-year-old, who was formerly in the Royal Navy, was sentenced to six years at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday.

He had earlier been convicted of a total of three charges of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards the youngsters.

King had previously been jailed for five years in 2016 in a high profile abuse case, in which a victim waived her right to anonymity to speak publicly of her ordeal.

Judge Alison Stirling remarked how the paedophile continues to deny his guilt for these latest crimes.

She said the victim impact statement from one of the girls King abused was “particularly poignant”.

The judge told King: “She had not told anyone until police visited her in 2020.

“She said how the approach from the police “took the wind out of her sails’.”

This victim had also described “significant psychological suffering”.

King was also put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.

Procurator fiscal for high court sexual offences Fraser Gibson said: “William King’s victims demonstrated great bravery and composure throughout the prosecution process and I hope the sentence imposed today provides some resolution for them.

“He was brought to justice thanks to a thorough and complex investigation by police and our expert prosecutors.

“The Crown is committed to the fair and effective prosecution of sexual offences, whenever the crimes occurred, and I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of similar offending to come forward and seek support.”

Detective inspector Jonny Wright from Police Scotland said: “The survivors of King’s horrific sexual abuse have shown great courage in coming forward with vital information, which ultimately led to his conviction.

“His actions were appalling and he will now face justice for the offences he committed.

“All reports of sexual assault, regardless of the passage of time, will be thoroughly investigated by Police Scotland and victims will be supported throughout.

“Should you wish to report a sexual crime to Police Scotland, then please do so via 101, by making an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”