A FORMER Church of Scotland minister who carried out sexual offences

against young boys at two of his manses over a three-year period was

jailed for seven years yesterday.

William Clement Robb, 54, known as Clem Robb, was described as

unworthy of the cloth he wore as he was sentenced by Lord Osborne at the

High Court in Glasgow.

Some of Robb's victims were in court -- one appeared close to tears,

and another waved as Robb was led to the cells below.

The court heard that the former minister had plied the boys, aged

between 10 and 17, with alcohol, and engaged in sex acts with as many as

three at a time. He had made them draw lots, had had them pose for

photographs, and had shown them pornographic magazines and films.

Two of the victims had been so badly affected that one still suffered

from nightmares 13 years later and the other, who found difficulty in

forming any relationship with a woman, was addicted to drink and drugs.

When police confronted Robb with the allegations he had told a

detective inspector: ''I have done nothing wrong morally; perhaps in

law,'' the court heard.

The detective had told him that he had broken the law with regard to

the age of his victims, and Robb had said: ''It all depends where you

draw the base line. I would describe myself more in tone with the laws

of Holland.''

Robb, who resigned after 25 years as a minister when he was arrested,

yesterday admitted nine charges of sexual offences involving seven boys

over a three-year period.

The court heard the offences had taken place at Robb's manses at

Pollokshields, Glasgow, and Tarbert, Loch Fyne, between 1981 and 1984.

Mr James Scott, prosecuting, said that Robb had begun his career in

the Merchant Navy as a navigator. In 1968 he had become a minister and

had served for two years in Shetland.

He had then become senior chaplain to the British Sailors Society and

a chaplain to a unit of Sea Cadets in East Kilbride where he had met

many of his victims.

Robb had also been a minister in Pollokshields, Tarbert, and Catrine,

Mauchline and Dalry in Ayrshire.

The offences came to light after one of his victims, now 27, told his

girlfriend about the nightmares he suffered because of what Robb had

done to him.

Police were brought in and when he was confronted at his manse at

Dalry, Robb had said: ''I think I know what you are talking about.''

Mr Scott said that in later interviews Robb had admitted he had been

completely wrong in what he had done.

When police had asked to search the house, Robb had told them they

would find what they were looking for in a chest. Inside it had been

pornographic books, videos, and magazines.

When asked about photographs, Robb had at first stayed silent but had

then taken police to a drawer in his bedroom where they had found

scrapbooks containing photo

graphs showing his victims in various sexual poses.

He had then told police: ''This is the end.''

He had been allowed to perform a funeral service, his last act as a

minister, before returning to the police to be taken into custody.

Mr Scott said that the boys had been attracted to visit Robb because

of his collections of model ships and trains, the money, drink and

cigarettes he gave them, and because they had been allowed free run of

his house.

Mr Paul McBride, defending, said Robb's life was now ruined because of

what he had done. From being a well-respected member of the community he

was now vilified and abused by people in the streets and as a result was

depressed and suicidal.

After the death of his mother in 1980 Robb had become desperately

lonely and his initial involvement with boys had been innocent because

he had craved their company.

Mr McBride continued: ''Now he has brought shame on himself, his

family and his Church.''

Robb had been well-liked and popular, Mr McBride added, and despite

what he had done had received testimonials from members of his

congregations, fellow ministers, neighbours, and even one from a victim.

Mr McBride said that this man, now aged 27, had been Robb's homosexual

lover for 12 years. Since committing himself to that relationship Robb

had not been involved with boys and psychiatrists believed he was not

likely to offend in this way again.

Lord Osborne told Robb he had defied the law in pursuit of his own

gratification. His activities had not been a single lapse but had

continued over years.

By making drink available to the youths, he had shown premeditation

and a callous disregard for the welfare of the youngsters.

Lord Osborne continued: ''I cannot ignore the fact that in two cases

the experience of the young people concerned had lasting and damaging

effects.''

He concluded: ''You were in a position of trust where moral leadership

should have been displayed. You have breached that trust and you have

shown yourself unworthy of the cloth which you wore.''