A child abuser who targeted two young girls has been jailed for 30 months for his "reprehensible" crimes.
Thomas Kaczan, now aged 67, molested the girls at a house in Uddingston in the 1980s.
He denied any wrongdoing, but a jury at Hamilton Sheriff Court found him guilty last month of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour.
The court heard Kaczan, of Cheviot Road, Hamilton, was a family friend.
Kaczan was remanded in custody following the jury's verdicts and returned to the dock this week for sentence.
Defence advocate Graham Robertson described the case as "tragic for all sorts of reasons".
Kaczan, who is married with grown-up children, had "worked hard all his life to provide for his family".
Mr Robertson stated: "There is no diminishing what he was found guilty of. This type of offending is regarded by the courts and society as reprehensible.
"My client is effectively a first offender, with only one conviction for a road traffic matter on his record.
"It would appear that for the last 35-40 years he has led a blameless life.
"He is deemed to be at low risk of further sexual offending."
Sheriff Martin Jones told Kaczan his behaviour towards the girls had been "outrageous" and a prison sentence had to be imposed.
The sheriff added: "You might continue to deny guilt for the remainder of your life, but it's my duty to punish you for your behaviour, albeit that it happened all those years ago and I'm sure you have led a blameless life since."
Sheriff Jones said he had considered "numerous" letters of reference, but said only custody was appropriate given the gravity of the crimes.
Kaczan was put on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
