Inverness man who forced children to perform sex acts jailed
A 48-year-old man convicted of forcing a boy and two girls under the age of 16 to perform sex acts on him has been jailed for six years.
A jury at the High Court in Inverness found Jack Beaton, of Inverness, guilty of four charges of lewd and libidinous practices with the children last month.
The offences happened between 6 January 2009 and 5 January 2011.
Sentencing Beaton, judge Lord Bannatyne told him that he was guilty of a "dreadful breach of trust".
Beaton, who is a member of a church fellowship in the city and had denied the charges, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.
Lord Bannatyne told him: "You have been convicted of a number of serious offences which when taken together amount to an appalling course of conduct.
"This was a dreadful breach of trust and you have taken utterly no responsibility for your offending.
"A substantial custodial sentence is appropriate."
Beaton will also be supervised for a further two years on his release. He was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.