Child rapist William Dennis jailed for 12 years
A man has been jailed for 12 years for carrying out a series of sex attacks on three children more than 20 years ago.
William Dennis, 46, from Glasgow, was convicted of raping a girl and sexually two boys in the 1990s.
The abuse began when all three were just two years old and continued for a number of years.
At the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lord Burns told father of 13, Dennis, that he had been convicted of "an appalling catalogue" of crimes.
Lord Burns pointed out the victims were vulnerable not only because of their young age but also because of their state of development at the time.
The boys were hit with a belt and pipe and one of them was struck on the head with a trowel as well as being slapped and punched.
The judge said Dennis had compelled the children to take part in "perverted practices" including indecent behaviour towards each other.
Dennis had performed sex acts on an inflatable doll in the presence of the boys and made them carry out sexual acts with it.
"There is no doubt this calls for a substantial custodial sentence," said the judge.
Lord Burns said despite the victims giving evidence at Dennis' earlier trial he continued to deny any involvement in the offending and blamed others.
During his trial last month, the High Court in Glasgow heard how the abuse began in 1989 and ended in 1996.
It was reported to police and Dennis was investigated in 1995 and 1996, but there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him.
It was only in 2010 after Dennis, of Cumbernauld Road, Glasgow, was questioned in relation to another matter, that his three victims had the courage to come forward.
Now aged 25, 23 and 22 they told how their childhoods were ruined by the abuse inflicted on them by Dennis.
In evidence Dennis denied all the charges against him and claimed his three victims were part of a conspiracy against him.
He told the jury that he had 13 children and his pregnant partner was in court to support him.
The jury did not believe him, however, and convicted Dennis of raping the children and assaulting the boys.
Following his conviction, Dennis was also placed on the sex offenders register.