James Pollard was found guilty of nine charges on 4 September 2024 following a trial at the High Court in Inverness.

The 71-year-old targeted five young victims at various locations in the north of Scotland between 1979 and 2022. The children and young girls were all under the age of 16 when the abuse began – with the youngest being two years old.

He was convicted of indecently assaulting and sexually abusing the first victim. Pollard, from Thurso, indecently assaulted a second child, communicated indecently with a third and sexually assaulted a fourth.

A fifth young victim was physically assaulted and raped.

On 28 October 2024, at the High Court in Aberdeen, Pollard was jailed for 15 years.  His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely. Non-harassment orders, banning Pollard from contacting or attempting to contact four of the victims, were granted for an indefinite period.

Procurator fiscal for High Court sexual offending, Katrina Parkes, said: “James Pollard poses a significant danger to children and young girls with his offending, which took place over a number of years.

“It is thanks to the bravery of these victims that this prosecution and conviction has been made possible. Child sexual abuse has no place in Scotland and Pollard will now face the consequences of his predatory behaviour.”