A cemetery superintendent who fraudulently mis-sold burial plots has been jailed.

William Henderson claimed he was selling special plots to families at Mount Vernon Cemetery in the south of Edinburgh.

The burial deeds were created fraudulently and some burials took place in the wrong locations within the cemetery.

On Friday, Henderson was sentenced to 14 months in jail at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The 46-year-old obtained more than £14,000 from 13 victims over a period of almost ten years before he was caught.

In two cases "overburials" took place, with remains lowered into graves that were already occupied.

One victim paid him £6500, with another paying £1100.

His scheme came to light in 2013 when irregularities were discovered in a number of burial ledgers and he was charged in November 2016.

Detective chief inspector Paul Grainger said: "William Henderson successfully obtained large sums of money from people mourning the death of loved ones and looking to have them buried within Mount Vernon Cemetery.

"At no point during our inquiries did Henderson show any remorse for his actions, or the impact his deception will have had on his victims.

"We took a sensitive and professional approach when interviewing those affected and are extremely grateful to everyone who assisted with our inquiries, particularly when they had to relive some painful memories in the process."

He added: "It is my hope that this sentence now brings a sense of closure around this matter."

The Catholic Church, which employed Henderson, said it is supporting the families affected.

A spokesman said: "Willie Henderson's criminal activities were a betrayal of the trust put in him by the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh but also, and more disturbingly, a betrayal of the trust put in him by families who were grieving and vulnerable - that's why his crimes and so reprehensible and so regrettable.

"The Archdiocese will continue to endeavour to provide both pastoral and practical support to those affected by Henderson's crimes.

"We have also put in place systems to ensure that such instances of fraud cannot happen again."