Children of God cult member jailed over rape of two girls 30 years ago
A predator who used his position in the Children of God cult to rape two girls has been jailed for 11-and-a-half years.
Derek Lincoln, 74, was extradited to Scotland last year – more than three decades after forcing himself on two girls, aged nine and 11.
The paedophile was arrested in France after a woman reported the abuse she received as a young girl to police.
The cult, which began in the United States in the late 1960s, operated in various locations throughout the UK.
Its founder, David Berg, encouraged sexual contact between its members and children.
Lincoln had direct access to children while working as a ‘house shephard’ in the cult, the BBC reported.
Police spoke to dozens of people who had been raised in the cult as they built their case against Lincoln.
The 74-year-old admitted to raping the two girls between 1989 and 1991, on July 13 this year.
Detective Sergeant Neil Wilson said the conviction showed ‘time is no barrier to justice’ and applauded the victims for their bravery.
He said: ‘Lincoln used his position within the Children of God to perpetrate violent sexual abuse of two young children.
‘My thoughts continue to remain with the victims and those impacted by Lincoln’s deplorable actions over the many years.
‘Thanks to the bravery of the victims in reporting the abuse to police, witness testimonies and the cooperation of international agencies, he is now being forced to face the consequences of his crimes after more than 30 years.’
Lincoln was sentenced to 11-and-a-half years’ jail at the High Court in Glasgow.
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