A FORMER Scout leader has been jailed for historic sex abuse crimes against two young boys more than 30 years ago.

William Quigg, 77, of Lintwhite Court, Bridge of Weir, first targeted his victims when they were aged just 12.

The offences took place between 1980 and 1986 at various addresses in Glasgow.

READ MORE: Former Renfrewshire Scout leader found guilty of historic sex abuse

Quigg admitted sexually abusing one boy when the victim was aged between 12 and 15 but denied raping the other boy and sexually abusing him from the age of 12 to 16.

Neither of the boys was in the Scouts.

Quigg was convicted of all the abuse by a jury at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

And, today, he was caged for 10 years when he appeared for sentencing at the High Court in Livingston.

The once-respected community figure, who rose through the ranks to become a Scout Commissioner, showed no emotion as judge Lord Burns handed down the sentence.

The court heard that Quigg now faces the prospect of dying before he is eligible for release from prison.

Mark Stewart, defending, told the court the case was one of extreme abuse which represented a gross breach of trust.

The lawyer said: “It’s a matter of practical fact that he is a man who is 77 years of age now. It’s accepted that he faces a significant custodial sentence.

“He understands he may not live to see his liberation from this sentence. He has given up all his property rights and all the rights of someone at liberty.”

Passing sentence, Lord Burns told Quigg the jury had returned unanimous verdicts finding him guilty of “the most serious abuse of two young and highly-vulnerable children.”

He said: “I bear in mind that you do accept responsibility for the abuse that you perpetrated on (the first complainer) but you refuse to accept responsibility for what you did to (the second complainer).

“I also bear in mind your age, the fact that you have no previous convictions, or convictions since this campaign of abuse, and your work record – but the abuse you perpetrated on these boys for the seven years it went on was of the most grave kind."

Lord Burns added: “I can’t ignore the serious breach of trust that these offences represent. You exploited them for your own sexual purpose.

READ MORE: Hunt for thieves after nighttime break-in at Linwood school

“I’ve decided that the only sentence I can impose is a custodial one of 10 years in prison.”

The sentence was backdated to February 13 this year, when Quigg was remanded in custody. He was also told his name would remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

Speaking at Quigg’s trial last month, one of his victims, now aged 48, told how the fiend raped him in a shower room.

He said: “He was a voracious, predatory paedophile and made my life hell. This man was clearly beyond cruel. He knew I was very vulnerable and targeted me because of that. He knew there was nothing I could do.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond