A Fife child sex abuser told families of his victims his sentence was “better than I thought” as he was jailed.
William McAleese, 48, was convicted by a jury of sexually assaulting two boys over a five-year period following a trial last month.
One of his victims was aged 12 when the abuse started and the other was 14.
The boys were sexually abused in a lay-by near Kinross and another sexual assault took place at an address in Ballingry.
Former odd-job man McAleese fondled the older boy’s genitals and performed a sex act on him.
He sexually assaulted the younger boy by touching him over his clothing.
The three offences took place between July 2012 and July 2017.
‘Serious risk’ to public
McAleese appeared in the dock from custody this week for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
Sheriff Charles Macnair told him: “You were convicted by jury of three sexual offences against two individuals.
“The offences against the first complainer were serious and included performing oral sex on him.
“The offence against the second complainer is not as serious but of course, any sexual offending is serious and can have devastating impact on the victim.”
The sheriff said McAleese had a “bad record” but no similar previous convictions.
Sheriff Macnair continued: “I consider there is no appropriate alternative but a custodial sentence and I’m also satisfied having read the criminal justice social work report that you, on release, pose a serious risk of harm to the public without lengthy supervision.
“Accordingly, I consider an extended sentence is appropriate.”
The sheriff gave McAleese an extended sentence of four years, backdated to August 9, when he was remanded following his conviction.
This comprises a two-year custodial sentence followed by a two-year extension in which he will be released subject to strict licence conditions.
‘It’s better than I thought’
McAleese, formerly of Ballingry‘s Southfield Avenue, has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
As he was taken down from the dock by security officers, he turned towards the public gallery, where relatives of victims were seated, to say: “It’s better than I thought.”
His words were met with looks of disgust and anger.
Defence lawyer Stephen Morrison said McAleese maintains his innocence, as he had done during his trial.
The solicitor said a background social work report highlighted some “adverse childhood experiences”.
Previous conviction
McAleese appeared at the same court in 2015 and was convicted of fly-tipping.
He claimed he was well-known in the Ballingry and Lochgelly area for carrying out handyman jobs and landscape gardening.
His defence again the fly-tipping charge – that he was just tidying up the area – was rejected and he was given community service.
