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 eight.

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

Ridgway, of Dunfermline, Fife, then abused another three children, continuing until October 1996.

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

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, QC, remanded Ridgway in custody but deferred sentence for the court to obtain reports. Defence advocate Michael Anderson had asked judge Morris to grant bail to his client.

However, judge Morris 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.”