A MAN who began a decade-long campaign of sexual abuse when he was just 11-years-old is facing a prison sentence.

Colin MacDonald, 45, targeted his first victim, who was aged 10, when he was a year older than her, raping and sexually abusing her for six years in Fort William and Inverness.

He also sexually assaulted a girl between 1981 and 1983 at an address in Fort William. She was nine years-old when she became his victim.

Between August 1988 and August 1991, MacDonald repeatedly abused another girl at an address in the Oban area.

He was finally caught after his victims plucked up enough courage to contact police about their ordeal.

MacDonald, of Perth, was found guilty yesterday of sexual assault charges before Judge Lord Jones at Edinburgh High Court.

MacDonald had denied the charges, stating that his victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were guilty of conspiring against him. He also claimed they had made up stories against him.

But the jury concluded there was enough evidence to convict him.

Remanding MacDonald in custody, Lord Jones deferred sentence for the court to obtain reports about MacDonald and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register.

Defence advocate Ronnie Renucci told the court that since his client had never served time in prison, the court should obtain reports about his character.

MacDonald will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on October 6.