The 57-year-old has been convicted of a total of 14 counts, with the offenses mostly taking place in Inverness between 2006 and 2017, including a charge of failing to show up on a previous trial date after his flight to America.

Avis, who was extradited from the United States to face charges, was jailed during his appearance in Edinburgh High Court today.

Avis (below), from Inverness, was arrested by the US Marshals Service in Colorado Springs in July 2019.

He was reported missing in February of the same year after swimming at Monastery Beach in Carmel, California.

Investigators later discovered he was out on bail for offenses committed in Scotland.

Fraser Gibson, High Court Sexual Offenses Tax Attorney, said: “It has been a difficult and complex investigation for everyone involved. I want to commend the victims for their courage to come forward.

“Kim Avis went to great lengths to evade justice for his crimes. Through the efforts of police and prosecutors, along with US law enforcement, he was brought to justice and sentenced today. hui.

“As this case shows, we prosecute sex crimes effectively and fairly. I urge anyone who has been the victim of such an offense to report it to the police and seek help. ”

Avis was jailed for 12 years for sexual offenses – including some against children and rape – and three years for failure to appear.

The trial date had been set for March 11, 2019, but the court learned after a near-death experience in California that Avis believed he would not get a fair hearing and decided not to return to Scotland.

It was understood that he then fled for several months before American marshals, who did not believe he was dead, found him in Colorado and he was extradited to the UK.

Avis, who continues to deny all sexual charges against him, was a street trader for many years in Inverness and had received a Good Citizen Award.

He was convicted of 13 counts of sexual offenses between 2006 and 2016.

Avis pleaded guilty to the other offense and received a reduced jail term of three years for that part of the sentence.

Detective Inspector Caine McIntyre, Scottish Police Domestic Violence Task Force, said: “I welcome the conviction of Kim Avis, also known as Kim Gordon.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the victims / survivors in this case for the courage, strength and dignity they have shown throughout this investigation and the trial that followed.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to reach out to anyone who is experiencing or has suffered domestic or sexual abuse – it is never too late to report to the police or seek the support and advice of one of the our partner organizations such as Women’s Aid. or Rape Crisis Scotland.