TWO Rosyth men who were found guilty of physically abusing young girls over a period of several years have been jailed.

Friends Alan Johnston, 41, of Findlay Crescent, and James Stewart, 53, of Burnside Crescent, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, following a trial.

It was previously heard that three girls were the victims of violence regularly when they were young.

Last month, the jury found Stewart guilty of two charges.

On various occasions between June 18, 2000, and February 18, 2009, he assaulted a young girl, repeatedly removed her clothing, seized her by the body and placed her into baths while he poured cold water over her, placed her over his knee, removed her lower clothing and struck her on the buttocks to her injury.

Between April 19, 2000, and February 18, 2009, he assaulted a second child by repeatedly seizing her by the body and pulling her from her bed, struck her on the head and body, placed her into baths of cold water and immersed her head under water, punched and kicked her on the head and body, placed her over his knee, removed her lower clothing and struck her on the buttocks to her injury.

Johnston was found guilty of three charges.

Between June 18, 2000, and February 18, 2009, he assaulted a young girl by repeatedly punching and kicking her on the head and body, seized hold of her body, pulled and pinned her to the ground, struck her on the head and buttocks with his hands and tripped her up, causing her to fall to the ground and struck her head, all to her injury.

Between April 19, 2002, and February 18, 2009, he assaulted a second girl by repeatedly punching and kicking her on the body, placed her over his knee, removed her lower clothing and struck her on the buttocks, all to her injury.

On various occasions between July 13, 2002, and February 18, 2009, he assaulted a third girl by repeatedly striking her on the head and body, kicked her on the body and tripped her up, causing her to fall to the ground, all to her injury.

Defence solicitor Peter Robertson said his client, Stewart, was well aware of the “seriousness” of the charges but spoke of his role as a carer for family members and the detrimental effect it would have on them if he was jailed.

Defence solicitor Elaine Buist, for Johnston, said because of the stress of the trial, he was now seeing a doctor for medication for help with mental health issues and that he was fully aware of the seriousness of the conviction.

Sheriff Charles Macnair told Johnston that he subjected the girls to regular violence through their childhood and somehow involved his friend.

He said to Stewart: “It must have been abundantly clear that you had no business involving yourself.”

He added: “Having heard the girls, I was struck by the fact that despite the abuse, they all appear at the moment to be doing well in their lives.

“Your behaviour was truly dreadful towards them.

“In my view, the behaviour of both of you towards the children is such that there is no alternative but a custodial sentence.

“I also take into count Mr Stewart’s obligations but it is somewhat ironic having regard to his behaviour towards the children in this case, so that does not have any significant impact on my view.”

Johnston was sentenced to 15 months in prison and Stewart was sentenced to 10 months.