Police praise victims who helped jail child abuser

David Potts (59) targeted the youngsters, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at various addresses in Fife between May 2005 and October 2007.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Potts sexually assaulted his first victim when he was just aged just eight-years-old at an address in Burntisland.

Potts, who has previous convictions for assault and dishonesty, continued to abuse the boy for more than two years.

The court also heard how Potts targeted another seven-year-old boy at a house in Kirkcaldy. He started abusing the boy in September 2006 and the assaults stopped in October 2007.

The story emerged following a week-long trial at the high court in July 2017. Sentence had been deferred for the court to obtain reports on Potts’ character.

On Tuesday judge Nigel Morrison QC also ordered Potts to be supervised for two years following release from prison.

He added: “These are serious offences.”

Speaking after the sentence, Detective Constable Ross French of Fife’s Public Protection Unit said: “One of the victims very bravely reported the abuse to a person he trusted in March 2016, which led to police being contacted and we began a thorough investigation.

“Potts is a predator who has refused to admit his guilt and shown no remorse for his crimes.

“I want to commend the victims for their courage throughout the investigation and trial.

“The men finally have justice and I hope that this helps them to move forward.”