A man who raped and sexually assaulted young girls as part of a campaign of violence has been sentenced to 15 years in prison

A man who sexually abused three young girls in a “sexual violence campaign” has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Former health and safety officer Robert Foulkes, 65, raped two of his victims and committed indecent behavior on a third as part of a campaign of violence that lasted 13 years.

The judge told Foulkes at the High Court in Edinburgh: “You have pleaded guilty to three charges of extremely serious sexual offenses against young girls.”

Lord Young said victim impact statements from two people who suffered at his hands revealed the impact of his crimes on their health and education.

Lord Young told Foulkes he had shown “a limited appreciation of the harm you have caused”.

In sentencing Foulkes, the judge acknowledged he had serious health problems and was, in fact, a first-time offender.

He ordered Foulkes to be under community supervision for another three years after his prison sentence, when he will have a driver’s license and can return to prison if he breaches his conditions.

Lord Young told him that if he did not plead guilty, he would face 18 years in prison.

Foulkes, from Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to three sex offenses last month.

He admitted exposing his first victim to indecent behavior between 2006 and 2010 in Aberdeenshire, when she was aged between eight and 12.

Foulkes also admitted raping two other girls at addresses in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire between 2013 and 2018.

Assistant solicitor Brian Gill KC said Foulkes told one of the victims it was “their little secret”.

Defense lawyer Neil Shand said Foulkes told him the offense was related to his alcohol abuse. He added: “I really regret my behavior.”

Lord Young made non-molestation orders prohibiting Foulkes from contacting or attempting to contact the victims for an indefinite period.

Foulkes was told he would remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely following his sentence.

Detective Inspector Bruce Buntain said: “Foulkes admitted to a campaign of sexual violence carried out over a significant period of time and is now rightly facing the consequences of his despicable actions.

“I commend the strength of those involved in reporting his crime and throughout the court process. I hope the outcome brings them justice as they move on with their lives.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling sexual offenses and bringing those responsible to justice. I urge anyone who has been a victim, regardless of when, to come forward and report it. “We will conduct a thorough investigation and you will be supported at all times by our specially trained officers and partner agencies.”

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