Man admits sexually abusing girls

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard Douglas Ashall, 57, got himself into a position of trust and abused his first victim between 1974 and 1978 from when she was aged 11.

Fiscal depute John Kirk told the court: "When he was within the house and when nobody else was in the premises these incidents of abuse took place.

"At the time she didn't tell anybody about it out of fear and confusion."

Mr Kirk told the court it was not until much later when the victim told a councillor what had happened that the matter was reported to the authorities.

Ashall abused his second victim, who was also aged 11 when the offences started, between 1987 and 1991.

The fiscal said both victims were abused on a regular basis and the matter was not investigated by police until years later when the girls made disclosures.

The court also heard Ashall served a prison sentence last year for having indecent images on his computer.

Ashall admitted using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards his first victim between 1 January, 1974, and 31 December, 1978, at an address in Edinburgh, and abusing a second girl between 1 January, 1987, and 31 December, 1991, also in the city.

Mr Kirk added: "Clearly this has gone on over some time in respect of the two young girls and both have had their difficulties over the years."

Sheriff Elizabeth Jarvie QC deferred sentence until next month for the preparation of background reports and placed Ashall, of Broughton Place, Edinburgh, on the sex offenders register.

His bail was continued.