Former policeman jailed for abuse

Alexander was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years

A former policeman who sexually abused a young girl has been jailed for nine months.

Douglas Alexander, 72, admitted abusing the girl at his home in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, between January 2005 and March 2006 - when she was seven.

His crimes were discovered when the girl, who cannot be named, confided in her sister, who then told her mother.

Sheriff Robert Anthony also ordered Alexander to be placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, he told Alexander: "You have pled guilty to a very serious matter involving the abuse of a young child while you were in a position of trust.

"It's a sad day when a 72-year-old man of previous good character who served as a police officer for many years finds himself in court on such a serious matter."