A “wicked” child rapist has lost his appeal to have his 15-year jail term cut.
Eric Rafferty was locked up earlier this year after being found guilty of subjecting four girls to a catalogue of horrifying abuse.
The 69-year-old, originally of Aberdeen, repeatedly raped two of his victims and tried to rape a third over an eight-year period.
He lodged an appeal at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh against his sentence, but judges rejected it after a brief hearing.
Lord Drummond Young, who heard the case with Lord Malcolm, said: “In cases of this sort, deterrence is absolutely critical to ensure this sort of depraved conduct does not take place in future.
“In addition, we consider it is necessary to mark society’s abhorrence of conduct of this nature.
“The seriousness of this offending must be marked by a very substantial custodial sentence. We do not think any criticism can be made of the period of 15 years selected by the judge.”
Raffety’s solictor advocate, Iain Paterson, had urged the court to reconsider the length of sentence – arguing his client had no previous convictions, a good work record and had been caring for his wife.
Mr Paterson said Rafferty had been assessed as a low risk of re-offending and at his age would be in his mid-80s by the time his licence expired if he was granted parole.
However, he conceded: “I readily accept these offences are extremely serious and a significant custodial sentence is wholly appropriate.”
Rafferty watched the appeal judges give their decision via a TV link with HMP Grampian ion Peterhead, where he is being held.
After the trial in Edinburgh, judge Lord Uist told the pensioner all four child victims had been subjected to “the most abhorrent sexual practices” by him.
Lord Uist said: “These offences consisted of calculated, systematic and depraved sexual abuse of four children when the opportunity arose for you to engage in such conduct.”
“All four girls were subjected to the most abhorrent sexual practices by you. These were unspeakably wicked crimes.”
Rafferty was convicted of seven offences of rape, attempted rape and indecency against his victims committed between 1982 and 1990 at houses in his home city.