Rapist cleaner preyed on young sleeping children in decades of abuse

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A rapist who preyed on young children as they slept in bed has been jailed after a campaign of child sexual abuse over two decades. Alan Todd was found guilty of five charges on October 28 following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The 54-year-old's victims were aged just seven and 13 when the abuse began. His offending took place at various addresses in Edinburgh between 2001 and 2019.

The first two children were targetted by the cleaner while they were asleep in their beds. Todd also wrote inappropriate letters and a card to one of the victims, professing his love to her and stating that he wished to marry her. He later assaulted the same child by seizing her by the throat.

Todd's third victim was sexually assaulted and raped by him when they were under the age of 13. It happened repeatedly over the course of three years.

Todd was eventally arrested and charged in May 2020 for his atrocious crimes. He was sentenced on Wednesday at the High Court in Edinburgh and was given a 13-year extended sentence with 10 years in custody.

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His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely. Non-harassment orders, banning Todd from contacting or attempting to contact the victims, were granted for a period of 15 years.

Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, Katrina Parkes said: “Alan Todd posed a danger to young children by exploiting a position of trust in the worst possible way.

“The trauma these victims suffered was at the forefront of our minds during this prosecution. It is thanks to the bravery of those affected by Todd’s offending that he has now been brought to justice.

“We would encourage anyone affected by similar offending to come forward - regardless of how much time has passed. You will be listened to and supported as we seek to secure justice using all the tools at our disposal.”

Detective Constable Jill Urquhart, of Police Scotland, added: “Alan Todd is an abusive individual whose offending spanned many years. I commend the strength and resilience of the victims in this case and hope his conviction provides them with some sense of closure.

“I urge anyone who has been a victim of a sexual crime, regardless of when it happened, to come forward and report it to us. All reports are thoroughly investigated. We have specially trained officers who, alongside our partner agencies, will support you throughout.”

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