Scollay admits “depraved” child sexual abuse

A LERWICK man who admitted sexually abusing two young girls in the 1980s and ‘90s has been remanded in custody.

Alan Scollay, whose address was given as 33 Grodians, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to plead guilty to a string of charges against a girl aged between 5 and 10, and another aged 11.

Sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentence until 6 January for background reports, and warned the charges were so serious he may refer the case to the High Court.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court that the 58 year old engaged in “depraved abuse” and that the “passage of time” between the offences “did not diminish his sexual appetite for young girls”.

Scollay admitted “years of abuse” targeting one girl between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1999 at two addresses in Shetland.

Scollay used a video camera to film some of the abuse and forced his victim to watch adult pornography with him.

The court heard the victim only came forward now out of fear he might abuse in the future.

The court also heard that Scollay abused a girl aged 11 between 1 October 1982 and 7 February 1983 at a separate address, at one point locking himself into a wendy house with his victim and another infant.

Police only became involved after Scollay admitted his past while applying for social housing in Shetland citing homelessness.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said he had “nothing to say in mitigation” and that his client was “under no illusion” of the consequences of the charges.

He asked that Scollay’s bail, which had a number of special conditions, be continued so he could visit his sick mother.

However Sheriff Philip Mann refused, adding that for the first time in his career he was thinking of referring the case to the High Court.