Pensioner found guilty of 22 years of child abuse

A pensioner who was convicted of sexually assaulting four young girls over a 22-year period has been told to expect a lengthy prison sentence.

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

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

The court heard how Ridgway, of Dunfermline, then abused another three children. His horrifying course of conduct against the children continued until October 1996.

Ridgway was only caught when his victims gained enough strength to speak to police about their respective ordeals.

After gathering enough evidence, detectives arrested Ridgway.

Yesterday jurors convicted Ridgway, who has a previous conviction for serious assault, on a total of eight sexual assault charges. They found another sexual assault charge against him not proven.

Judge John Morris deferred sentence and remanded Ridgway in custody.

Defence advocate Michael Anderson had asked Judge Morris to grant bail to his client.

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

He gave evidence in his own defence. He told his lawyer that he was innocent and had fallen victim to a conspiracy concocted by his victims.

He told Mr Anderson: “They have all collaborated against me.”

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

Judge Morris deferred sentence to March 27 at the High Court in Glasgow and added Ridgway’s name to the sex offenders register.