THE owner of a motorsport company who abused young children at Knockhill Racing Circuit near Dunfermline has been jailed.

Paedophile businessman Colin Bandeen, 63, was found guilty of 12 charges following a trial at the High Court in Stirling last summer.

He abused five children and attempted to target others and has now been sent to prison for 11 years and nine months..

The boss of Bandeen Motorsport in Kirriemuir, which has now closed down, his offending took place at addresses in the Angus area and at Knockhill between 2001 and 2019.

Bandeen befriended parents in an attempt to gain access to their young children.

The court heard how he invited himself into their homes and lives, gave generous gifts and took a number of his child victims on holidays.

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After gaining their trust, he went on to sexually offend involving five of the children.

Yesterday (Friday), at the High Court in Kilmarnock, he was jailed for 11 years and 9 months, with a further two years supervision following his release.

His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Scotland’s procurator fiscal for high court sexual offending, Katrina Parkes, 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.   

“COPFS prosecutors are committed to securing justice for victims of child sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the offences occurred.     

“I would urge any victim of similar crime not to suffer in silence but to report it and seek support.”