A MARTIAL arts instructor who abused girls in West Fife has been jailed for nine years today (Thursday).

Gary Lee Goodrum, now 38, was found guilty of eight charges of indecent assault at the High Court in Livingston on March 15. 

The offences took place between 1999 and 2007 against four girls, then aged 13 to 16, at the Gary Lee Martial Arts Academy in Dalgety Bay, as well as in the Hillend and Rosyth areas.

At the High Court in Aberdeen, Goodrum has now been sentenced to nine years in prison and is registered as a sex offender for life.

Detective Inspector June Peebles, of Fife Division's Public Protection Unit, said: "I want to commend the victims in this case for their bravery and continued co-operation throughout the investigation. 

"Goodrum took advantage of a position of trust to abuse children and, thanks to the courage of the victims, he is unable to exploit this position again.

"I urge anyone who has concerns about the welfare of a child or the behaviour of an adult to contact us through 101 or report these concerns anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."