A DUNFERMLINE businessman was warned he faces a jail sentence after he was convicted of abusing a primary school age girl.

Shamas Ali (47), of Liggars Place, compelled the youngster to massage him and touch his legs before carrying out sex acts.

He had denied the indecency offences at various addresses in Dunfermline but was found guilty after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Ali, who worked in a property management business, maintained he had never abused the child or made her perform oral sex on him. But a jury decided by a majority verdict that he had abused the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, when she was aged between seven and 11 up to August 2003.

The victim, now aged 22, told the court that as a child Ali had asked her to massage his feet and then to move further up his legs before performing a sex act.

She told the court, “I didn’t know any different. I was just doing as I was told.” The woman said that afterwards she was told to go to the bathroom and wash herself and put clothes in the wash.

Advocate depute Steven Borthwick asked her if she had told anyone about what he made her do, but she replied, “No.” She said, “I was under the impression it was normal.” Defence solicitor advocate John Scott QC asked that Ali’s bail be continued after the verdict.

He said Ali had no criminal record of any significance and no breaches of bail.

Mr Scott said, “Whilst a custodial sentence is all but inevitable, there is no reason to think he would fail to comply with bail conditions.” The judge, Lady Wise, told Ali, “You have been convicted of a serious sexual offence.

“You should not be under any illusion that says anything about the ultimate disposal.” Lady Wise continue his bail ahead of sentencing next month and placed Ali on the sex offenders’ register.