Peter McCormick, 66, admitted being engaged in lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards the children between June 1978 and December 1997.

His first victim recalled that in 1978, he and his friends had gone to McCormick’s home in Stirling where they were given cannabis and alcohol by the then 20-year-old.

After falling asleep on the offender’s bed, the boy woke up to find McCormick abusing him. McCormick invited his second victim for a sleepover at his home in the summer of 1978.

The accused gave the child cigarettes and alcohol. The boy later woke up to find McCormick sexually abusing him. In 1979, McCormick abused his third victim. He supplied the child with alcohol and encouraged him to keep drinking. The boy woke up in the middle of the night to find the accused abusing him.

Between 1994 and 1997, McCormick targeted a fourth boy. The victim recalled the abuser being nice to him and buying him sweets. McCormick began asking the boy questions of a sexual nature and showing him pornography. He then began sexually abusing the child.

The abuse, which happened at McCormack’s home and in various other locations, continued for a further two years.

McCormick pleaded guilty to four charges at the High Court in Glasgow on 28 May 2024. Yesterday he was sentenced to five years in custody at the same court.

Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offences, Katrina Parkes, said: “Peter McCormick manipulated and exploited these young children in an abhorrent campaign of abuse.

“His victims have shown great courage and strength by coming forward and reporting him to the authorities. McCormick will now have to face the consequences of his actions.”