A 70-year-old man has been given an Order of Lifelong Restriction (OLR) and a custodial sentence of seven years after being convicted of non-recent sexual offences.
Russell Pender’s crimes took place at various locations in Edinburgh, Midlothian and Fife between 1972 and 2021.
He was found guilty of a number of serious sexual offences, including the rape of a child, and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow in December 2025.
The OLR means the parole board will only consider a date for Pender’s release once he has served his full sentence and his risk to the public has been assessed. He would also be subject to conditions and monitoring for the rest of his life.
Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “Pender is a dangerous sexual predator who preyed on people in the most horrific way.
“I only hope they take some comfort from knowing their abuser is now behind bars and facing the consequences of his despicable actions.
“I know how difficult it can be to report crimes of this nature and would like to commend the victims for their honesty and strength during the investigation. Their information was vital in helping us build our case against Pender.
“Police Scotland is committed to fully investigating all reports of sexual crime – no matter who the perpetrator is or how much time has passed.
“I would urge anyone who has experienced any form of abuse to please contact us. We have specially trained support officers and work closely with partner agencies to ensure those responsible are held accountable and brought to justice.”
