SCOTS paedophile John Barr, who raped and sexually abused two young girls for almost 10 years, has died in prison.
The 71-year-old died HMP Edinburgh on October 4 while serving a seven-year sentence.
He was found guilty in 2019 of four charges of rape and one count of lewd and libidinous practices by a jury following a trial.
The Scottish Prison Service has said a fatal accident inquiry will be held in due course.
His two victims were targeted at two addresses in Fallin, near Stirling, between October 1983 and October 1991, the High Court in Edinburgh heard.
One of the girls was aged between six and 15 when she was subjected to a serious sexual assault, while the other child was aged between 13 and 18 when she was targeted.
One of the women reported the abuse to police in November 2017, when she was in her 40s. Investigators then re-opened a previous case from 2003 which involved the other victim.
Following his sentencing, Police Scotland Detective Constable David Brown thanked both women for their bravery.
He said: “For almost a decade, John Barr preyed on two young girls and committed horrific sexual offences against the pair.
"Had it not been for their bravery in coming forward his crimes could have gone unpunished. Now, however, he will serve a custodial sentence and I wish to thank both women for their continued support of the police investigation.
"It is my sincere hope that both can now put their respective ordeals behind them and move on with their lives."
Confirming the death, a statement from the Scottish Prison Service said: “John Barr, 71, a prisoner at HMP Edinburgh has died on 4 October 2023. He was convicted at Edinburgh High Court in 2019.
“Police Scotland have been advised and the matter reported to the Procurator Fiscal. A Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held in due course.”
