AN ARDROSSAN pensioner was today convicted of raping an 11-year-old girl and attempting to rape a 10-year-old girl 35 years ago.

Archibald Shaw, 81, committed the horrific sexual abuse which Judge Bill Dunlop described as “a despicable catalogue of depravity “ in Kilmarnock and Newton Stewart.

His victims, who are now in their 40's, went to the police after hearing on the radio in 2013 that Shaw had been convicted of stalking a 15-year-old girl and jailed for 21 months.

Judge Dunlop told Shaw: “You have been convicted of a series of offences which show a despicable catalogue of depravity.

“In view of your recent conviction it is clear you have for some time been a serious danger to children and remain so even at your stage of life.”
Shaw was placed on the sex offenders' register and will be sentenced in March.

Advocate depute Paul Brown, prosecuting, said: “The accused has previous convictions for sexual offences against children.”

The prosecutor told the court that Shaw's victims came forward after hearing on the radio that he had been found guilty of stalking a young girl and added: “It was that conviction in July 2015 that caused the complainers to come forward.”

Shaw, of Barrie Terrace, Ardrossan, was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of eight charges of sexual abuse, including rape. The offences were committed between 1982 and 1990.

Much of the indecency took place in a caravan. Shaw would ply his young victims with alcohol and make them watch pornographic videos before abusing them.

He raped his 11-year-old victim again on various occasions when she was aged between 16 and 19.

Sick Shaw claimed that he had had consensual sex with the girl once she turned 16, but the jury did not believe him.

During a video taped police interview Shaw was asked if he had raped the 11-year-old girl and he replied: “No.”

He was then asked if he was sexually attracted to her and replied: “No.”
Shaw also denied to police that he had tried to rape his 10-year-old victim on various occasions.

He was then asked by a police officer: “Do you remember committing any sex acts on them?” and he replied: “No.”

In evidence his victims said he ruined their childhoods.

One of them said: “He said if we ever told what had happened to us we would be taken away from our families.”

Solicitor advocate John Kennan, defending, will give his plea in mitigation when the case calls later this month.

Shaw showed no emotion as he was led away to the cells.