A CONVICTED rapist from Fife died in prison at the weekend.
David Ferguson, 67, from Cowdenbeath was previously sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping two under-age girls.
It was previously reported that Ferguson was sentenced at Aberdeen High Court in 2015 after being found guilty of abusing the children for almost 12 years.
Ferguson took advantage of the innocent schoolgirls when they visited him to borrow videos.
Ferguson, of Blamey Crescent, Cowdenbeath, denied all the charges and was earlier cleared of a further rape after the Crown withdrew the allegation.
In December 2014, a jury returned majority verdicts finding Ferguson guilty of two rapes and two indecent assaults on girls under 16, and one charge of lewd and libidinous practices towards a child aged between seven and 11 years.
Then, while serving his sentence at HMP Edinburgh, he was sentenced to a further 10 years behind bars in August last year, 2021, for the sexual abuse of two more victims - one when the victim was a teenager, and the other a child.
The sexual abuse of a woman and child took place in Fife between October 1988 and August 2010.
Detectives from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit in Fife carried out the investigation into Ferguson and reported him to the Procurator Fiscal in February 2019.
Detective Sergeant Graeme Dursley said “Ferguson subjected his victims to sustained violent abuse over the years and his sentencing sends a clear message that anyone found to be involved in this type of behaviour will be brought to justice.
“I would like to thank his victims for their assistance during our inquiry. It is very difficult to speak about these types of crimes and they have showed immense courage during this investigation. My thoughts remain with the victims and their families, and I hope that Ferguson’s sentencing can bring them some solace in that the person responsible for these despicable actions has been held to account, and they can now move forward with their lives.
“Police Scotland is resolutely committed to supporting victims of sexual crimes and investigating those responsible by bringing them to justice, no matter how much time has passed. I urge people to come forward to police and report it. They can be assured of being fully supported by officers and partner agencies.”
A Death in Custody (DIC) notification from the Scottish Prison Service confirmed Ferguson's death.
A statement read: "David Ferguson, 67, a prisoner from HMP Edinburgh has died on June 4, 2022.
"He was sentenced at Aberdeen High Court in 2015.
"Police Scotland have been advised and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal. A Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held in due course."
