A DUNFERMLINE pensioner who sexually assaulted four young girls over a 22 year period has been told he faces a lengthy prison sentence.

Despicable John Ridgway, 75, started abusing his first victim – who cannot be named for legal reasons – in April 1974 when she was just eight.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how the retired lorry driver continued to sexually assault the young girl until April 1981.

The court heard how Ridgway then abused another three children.

His horrifying course of conduct continued until October 1996 and he was only caught when his victims gained enough strength to speak to police about their ordeals.

Jurors convicted Ridgway, who has a previous conviction for serious assault, on eight sexual assault charges.

Judge John Morris QC remanded him in custody and deferred sentence for reports.

He told Ridgway: "The offences to which you have been convicted of are very serious. Due to the nature of the offences, a sentence of imprisonment is likely.

"I will therefore refuse your counsel's motion to grant bail."

Ridgway maintained his innocence throughout the trial and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court heard that he started abusing his first victim at a location in Dunfermline in April 1974, continuing to abuse her until April 1981.

The pervert then repeatedly sexually assaulted a girl at an address in Dunfermline between April 1977 and April 1979.

She was 14 when the abuse started.

Ridgway abused another young girl, from the age of 10, on various occasions between April 1976 and April 1978, also at a location in Dunfermline.

And on various occasions between October 1985 and October 1996, Ridgway sexually assaulted another young girl at an address in Dunfermline.

She was five when the abuse started.

The woman, who is now aged 36, said: "He sexually molested me. I zoned out. I tried to block it all out."

Ridgway gave evidence in his own defence.

He told his lawyer, defence advocate Michael Anderson, that he was innocent and had fallen victim to a conspiracy concocted by his victims.

He said: "They have all collaborated against me."

When asked whether the women were liars, Ridgway said: "Yes, of course they are."

Ridgway's 36-year-old wife Morag also gave evidence.

She said she had known him for 23 years and couldn't believe he was guilty of abuse.

Mrs Ridgway said she and her husband were currently estranged.

She told the court that she loved him and believed there was no evidence to prove he had done anything wrong.

She added: "It isn't true."

However, jurors took just three hours to convict him.

Prosecution lawyer Shirley McKenna said the pensioner had one previous conviction from 25 years ago for assault to severe injury.

Mr Anderson said: "I accept that a sentence of imprisonment is inevitable due to the nature of the conviction but I would ask you my lord to extend bail to him.

"He is of a good age my lord."

However, Judge Morris refused. He deferred sentence to March 27 at the High Court in Glasgow.

Ridgway's name was added to the sex offenders register.