Kirkcaldy man jailed for ‘appalling’ abuse and rape of girls

A 34-year-old man has been jailed for 10 years after being convicted of an “appalling catalogue” of abuse and rapes of two teenage girls.

Michael McRobie, of Kirkcaldy, struck one of the girls with a whip during his attacks on her, the High Court in Edinburgh.

Judge Michael O’Grady KC said McRobie had a “deeply dangerous interest” in children and adolescent girls.

He said: “The damage you have done to these young women is incalculable and I have no doubt its shadow will hang over them for the foreseeable future, perhaps forever.”

McRobie had denied a series of charges at an earlier trial but was convicted of 12 offences – including six of rape.

All the crimes were committed in Fife.

He began assaulting and abusing his victims in March 2016 when one of the girls was 13 and the other was 16.

The court heard that McRobie had possessed indecent images of children and also extreme pornography.

The judge said: “It is a statement of the obvious to say that you have been convicted of the most appalling catalogue of offences.”

He ordered that McRobie should be under supervision in the community for four years after his 10-year prison term, and could be sent back to jail if he breached his licence conditions.

The judge also made non-harassment orders prohibiting McRobie from contacting or attempting to contact his victims.

Defence solicitor advocate Gordon Martin said McRobie had “a very difficult background” and was bullied at school.

Mr Martin told the court: “He is well aware he is going to be indefinitely on the sex offenders’ register.”

Det Insp Adrian Ure, of Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “Michael McRobie is a sexual predator who manipulated and abused his victims for his own sexual gratification.

“Our thoughts remain with them and their families today as he faces the consequences of his actions.

“We encourage anyone with concerns about a child at risk of abuse, or a potential victim, to contact police immediately in the knowledge you will be listened to, taken seriously and fully supported.”