A RETIRED senior police officer who headed up a city's umbrella group for voluntary organisations has been found guilty of sexually assaulting three women.

Ian Paterson, 62, a former Grampian Police chief superintendent who was later chief executive of the Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations, made inappropriate remarks and touched the women on different occasions between July 2011 and October last year.

He was the longest serving police officer when he left the former force after more than 40 years and played a leading role in the 1988 inquiry into the Piper Alpha disaster.

His wife Hazel, 63, broke down as the jury's verdict was read out to the court.

Police Scotland's Detective Chief Superintendent Gillian Imery said: "This conviction will hopefully bring some closure for the women who had the courage to come forward in this inquiry. I hope this verdict also sends a message to people who hold a position of power or trust in any organisation that they are not above the law."

Paterson faced nine charges of indecent and sexual assaults against seven women at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last week.

The court heard Paterson, who was suspended from his charity role, left the women feeling uncomfortable after the incidents.

Depute fiscal, Anne MacDonald, told jurors: "The accused is simply a sexual predator. He used his power in his capacity as chief executive to manipulate and control and abuse these ladies physically.

"Power can be used for good or power can corrupt and this man corrupted himself with the power over these ladies."

Sentence was deferred for background reports.