A paedophile pensioner has been caged for molesting an 11-year-old girl.
Robert Haggerty, 73, repeatedly sexually abused his victim.
The beast threatened her into silence – insisting the truth would “kill” his wife.
Haggerty was jailed for almost two years after admitting his crimes at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Sheriff Frances McCartney blasted the fiend.
She said: “These were appalling offences and a gross breach of trust.
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“Only a custodial sentence is appropriate.
“You will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for an indefinite period.”
Haggerty targeted the schoolgirl repeatedly at a home in Paisley’s Seedhill .
He would grope her over and under her clothes.
He would force her to sit on his knee and touch the girl.
And then warn her to keep quiet.
The abuse took place on various over the course of a year from November 2016.
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The court heard the offences came to light after the victim broke down and admitted the abuse to a support worker.
Prosecutor Keri Marshall earlier told how the pervert preyed upon the vulnerable youngster.
She said: “She had attended the accused’s address.
“She liked to be on her own and find her own space.
“The accused would sit down beside her ... touch her both over her clothing and underneath her clothing.
“In his sitting room, he asked her to sit on his lap.
“She was wearing her school uniform.
“He put his hands under her skirt and touched her.
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“He told her not to disclose it to anyone as it would kill his wife.”
Grey-haired Haggerty wore a hearing aid as he followed proceedings against him.
He came to court clutching a duffle bag and wearing a Scotland rugby top.
Gasps from the public benches could be heard with the gravity of his crimes were read out.
The court heard the victim broke down in tears when she was finally able to confess what was happening to her.
Ms Marshall added: “A Home Link worker, who offers support to children and families, attended her secondary school when the complainer appeared at her door.
“She asked to speak to her.
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“She told her it was ‘kind of urgent.’
“She stated that, ‘Someone was touching me, and I don’t like it. I see this person. My mum doesn’t know. My friend told me to tell somebody in case it happens to someone else.’”
School chiefs called police, who drafted in officers from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit.
Haggerty initially denied his crimes, but admitted his guilt at a court appearance last month.
Defence agent Kevin Brady admitted his client had “problems understanding the gravity of what he has done.”
He added: “Clearly, these are very serious offences.
“He’s come fully prepared for the ultimate sanction, which is a custodial sentence.
“He is aware, and has been for some time, that this will be uppermost in your ladyship’s mind.”
Haggerty showed no emotion as he was led to the cells.
