A former Boys’ Brigade leader and youth football coach has been jailed for 12 years for historical sex abuse spanning nearly two decades.

Craig Menzies, 55, preyed on seven boys in his care at various locations across Scotland between 1986 and 2004.

Menzies met four of his victims while unit leader with the 118th Boys’ Brigade Company, based at Kings Park Parish in Glasgow.

He indecently assaulted one boy in the mid to late-80s during a BB trip to a campsite in Leven, Fife.

The youngster, who was aged 13 or 14 at the time, was intoxicated and asleep when the abuse began.

A second boy, aged around 12 or 13, was targeted during a camping trip at the West Highland Way in the early to mid-90s.

Menzies gave the youth alcohol and showed him pornographic magazines before sexually abusing him.

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A third boy, also aged around 12 or 13, was preyed upon at a campsite in Glencoe in the early-90s.

A fourth teenager was indecently assaulted during an unofficial camping trip to the Isle of Skye that had been arranged by Menzies in the mid-90s.

A number of BB members were in attendance alongside the victim, who was their friend.

Menzies became involved with the Whitecart Angels Baseball Club in the mid-90s where he met his fifth victim, then aged around 10.

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The sixth victim, aged around 13, met Menzies through a family friend and would take part in “fitness sessions” held at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park or at the accused’s home address.

Menzies admitted sexually abusing the boy on an occasion in the early to mid-2000s.

The paedophile was the manager and physiotherapist for Cart Castle Youth Football Club in Glasgow when he targeted his seventh victim in the early-2000s.

The boy, aged around 13 at the time the abuse began, was shown pornographic films and abused at Menzies’ home.

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Menzies pleaded guilty to seven charges at the High Court in Glasgow in May.

He was handed a 12-year prison sentence on Tuesday, with a further three years on licence.

Menzies was also added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

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Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s procurator fiscal for high court sexual offences, said: “Menzies used his position and community links to prey on vulnerable young boys who should have been safe in his care.

“His depraved offending affected many, who now live with the traumatic consequences of his actions.

“I would like to commend their bravery in coming forward. Their strength has resulted in his conviction.”

Detective Inspector Colin Moffat, of Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said Menzies abused his position as a trusted adult and is now facing the “consequences of his despicable actions”.

DI Moffat added: “I hope his conviction and sentencing will offer some form of justice to those involved, who have shown incredible strength throughout the reporting and court process.”

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