A motorsports company boss who befriended families before sexually abusing their children has been jailed for almost 12 years.

Angus businessman Colin Bandeen, 63, was convicted of preying upon multiple youngsters and attempting to target others between 2001 and 2019.

His offending took place at addresses within the Angus region and at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife.

A court heard how the paedophile befriended several parents in an attempt to gain access to their children.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Bandeen invited himself into their homes and lives, gave generous gifts, and took a number of his child victims on holidays.

After gaining their trust, he went on to commit his crimes, abusing five children over the course of 17 years.

A judge said his crimes eventually came to light when he attempted to have three of his victims visit him while he was in Malaysia.

‘They were literally your playthings’

Lord Cubie said Bandeen had a “proprietorial attitude and sense of entitlement” in how he acted towards his victims.

The judge stated: “They were literally your playthings. You treated them in the way you chose for your own amusement and titillation without any reflection about the damage that your behaviour was causing and would continue to cause.”

Bandeen was last month found guilty of 12 charges following a trial at the High Court in Stirling.

His crimes included three charges of indecent assault and three counts of lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices and behaviour.

He was also convicted of an indecent assault to injury, sexual assault, two counts of indecent behaviour towards children aged between 12 and 16, and two charges of stalking.

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‘There is no remorse’

Lord Cubie noted that Bandeen continued to deny any wrongdoing.

The judge stated: “That is your entitlement, but it materially undermines the value of the social work report, and in my view, it heightens concerns about the risk you pose when released from the sentence of imprisonment.

“There is no insight, no remorse, no reflection and no acceptance of any wrongdoing.”

Bandeen was handed an extended sentence at the High Court in Kilmarnock on Friday, with 11 years and nine months in jail and two years on licence once released back into the community.

He 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: “Colin Bandeen used his position of trust and community links to prey on vulnerable young children who should have been safe in his care.

“His 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.”

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