Scottish Borders man who raped girl more than 100 times jailed

A paedophile who carried out more than 100 rapes on one of his child victims has been jailed for 15 years.

Judge Lord Lake told Henry Renton, 81, his behaviour was “depraved” and “disgusting”.

Renton, formerly of Coldstream, abused two girls over a number of years in Prestonpans, in East Lothian, and at Duns, in the Scottish Borders.

He attacked one of the girls repeatedly between the ages of 11 and 16, the High Court in Edinburgh heard.

Renton had denied a series of charges during an earlier trial but was found guilty of six sex crimes committed between 2000 and 2007.

The court heard he was previously convicted of sex crimes involving other children.

A background report on Renton was prepared ahead of sentencing on Friday.

Lord Lake said he appeared to have indulged in “victim blaming” and seemed to describe his previous conviction as “a matter of bad luck”.

The judge said Renton’s crimes resulted in physical and psychological harm.

He said: “It is clear they are still suffering because of what you did.”

Defence counsel Michael Anderson KC said Renton did not keep good health but was fit for trial.

He argued that given Renton’s age and the time in jail he will serve before becoming eligible for release, if he is still alive, there would be very little future risk.

Mr Anderson told the court: “He wishes me to emphasise that he maintains his innocence.”

Renton was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and Lord Lake made non-harassment orders prohibiting him contacting victims.