A car wash boss who used his business to prey on a youngster has been jailed for 12 years.
Predator Matthew Mackie raped a young girl at a Florida hotel in 2002.
He forced himself on the 12-year-old, who was on holiday with her family in Orlando, in 2002.
But the 68-year-old beast was prosecuted for the crime in Scotland, because he also preyed on the same girl at his Barrhead car wash, as well as a female victim and another youngster.
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Ex-solider Mackie was sentenced for the crimes earlier today, having been convicted last month.
His QC told the High Court in Glasgow how he still maintains his innocence.
Jurors earlier heard how Mackie, of Twechar, East Dunbartonshire, and his partner had gone on holiday to Florida in the summer of 2002.
The girl and her relatives - also from Scotland - were staying at the same hotel, where the families spent time with each other during the holiday.
In evidence, Mackie claimed the only time he was in the girl’s bedroom was to “rub her stomach” when she was apparently unwell.
But his QC Iain McSporran put to him: “She has a quite different account.
“She describes you forcing yourself and putting considerable pressure on her.
“A crime which would undoubtedly be rape. Did that happen?”
Mackie replied: “No.” He also denied being attracted to the youngster.
The former squaddie continued to prey on the girl by promising her “pocket money” for working at the car wash.
It was there Mackie also exposed himself, made the child view a pornographic film and also had sex toys in view.
He also took the girl on a trip to Arbroath, Angus, where he had a holiday caravan - but claimed it was only because she wanted to visit relatives there.
During the trial, Mackie bizarrely claimed he now “could not remember” who the victim was or initially being quizzed by police in 2004.
It emerged Mackie also repeatedly raped a former partner between 1999 and 2004 in Wishaw and Bellshill, both Lanarkshire.
This included leaving her handcuffed naked to a bed.
He again insisted this “certainly did not happen”.
Mackie further abused a girl between 2012 and 2019 in Twechar - starting when she was seven.
Denying the charges, he was accused by prosecutor Angela Gray of “making things up as he goes along”.
Mackie was found guilty of the Florida rape as well lewd and libidinous behaviour on the same child.
He was further convicted of raping and indecently assaulting his ex-partner.
The predator was also guilty of sexually assaulting the other girl.
Defence QC Iain McSporran said: “My instructions are that he maintains his complete innocence.”
Lady Stacey told Mackie it appeared he did not seem to “understand how serious” the crimes were.
Regarding the Florida sex attack, the judge said: “You raped a girl aged 12. That, Mr Mackie, is a terrible crime.”
She added he continued to be a “sex pest” towards her.
Lady Stacey added: “When these things happen to children, it also has an effect on them later.”
Mackie was also put on the sex offenders’ list indefinitely.
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