The sentencing of a former SNP councillor for sexual offences involving teenage boys in Lanarkshire has been welcomed by police.
Mark Kerr, who represented the Kilsyth ward on North Lanarkshire Council, was sentenced to six years in prison and placed on the sex offenders' register last Friday at the High Court in Paisley.
Last month he was found guilty of nine charges, involving offences that took place between May 2012 and May 2020 in Lanarkshire.
DI Colin Moffat, of Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, welcomed the sentence.
He told Lanarkshire Live “Kerr was in a position of responsibility and trust as a local politician but he prayed on teenagers, one of whom he met at an official function. He befriended them and betrayed them.
“I welcome his conviction and placement on the sex offenders' register. Our thoughts are very much with his victims and their bravery in coming forward is commended.
"I hope they now get some closure with his sentencing.
“Tackling sexual crime is a top priority for Police Scotland and we will work to remove offenders like Kerr from our communities.
“I would urge anyone who has or is the subject of any form of abuse to get in touch with us.
"We have specialist officers who can assist, no matter when something happened.
“You can call us on 101 or make a call to the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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