Google MapsA former soldier who raped a young girl in a hotel while on holiday in Florida has been jailed for 12 years.
Matthew Mackie, from East Dunbartonshire, forced himself on the 12 year-old, who was on holiday with her family, in Orlando in 2002.
The 68 year-old continued to abuse the youngster on their return to Scotland after promising her pocket money to work at his car wash.
He also repeatedly raped a former partner and sexually abused another child from the age of seven.
Mackie, of Twechar, was prosecuted for the crime in Scotland as he also preyed on the same girl here as well as a woman and another youngster.
He was sentenced for the crimes on Friday having been convicted last month.
His QC told the High Court in Glasgow that he still maintains his innocence.
Jurors earlier heard how Mackie and his partner had gone on holiday to Florida 20 years ago.
The girl, also from Scotland, was staying at the same hotel with her family who spent time with Mackie during the holiday.
In evidence, Mackie claimed the only time he was in the girl’s bedroom was to “rub her stomach” when she was apparently unwell.
But, QC Iain McSporran put to him: “She has a quite different account.
“She describes you forcing yourself and putting considerable pressure on her.
“A crime which would undoubtedly be rape. Did that happen?”
Mackie replied: “No.”
The pensioner also denied being attracted to the youngster.
The former soldier continued to prey on the girl by promising her “pocket money” for working at a car wash he ran in Barrhead, Renfrewshire.
It was there Mackie exposed himself, made the child see a pornographic film and also had sex toys in view.
He also took the girl on a trip to Arbroath, Angus where he had a holiday caravan – but claimed it was only because the child wanted to visit relatives there.
During the trial, Mackie claimed he now “could not remember” who the victim was or initially being quizzed by police in 2004.
It emerged Mackie also repeatedly raped a former partner between 1999 and 2004 in Wishaw and Bellshill, Lanarkshire.
This included leaving her handcuffed naked to a bed.
He again insisted this “certainly did not happen”.
Mackie further abused a girl between 2012 and 2019 in Twechar, starting when she was seven.
Denying the charges, he was accused by prosecutor Angela Gray of “making things up as he goes along”.
Mackie was found guilty of the Florida rape as well as lewd and libidinous behaviour on the same child.
He was further convicted of raping and indecently assaulting his former partner.
Mackie was finally guilty of sexually assaulting the other girl.
Defence QC Iain McSporran said: “My instructions are that he maintains his complete innocence.”
Lady Stacey told Mackie it appeared he did not seem to “understand how serious” the crimes were.
Regarding the Florida sex attack, the judge said: “You raped a girl aged 12 – that, Mr Mackie, is a terrible crime.”
She added he continued to be a “sex pest” towards her.
Lady Stacey further said: “When these things happen to children, it also has an affect on them later.”
Mackie was also put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.
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