A PENSIONER has been jailed for seven years for raping an 11-year-old girl and attempting to rape a 10-year-old girl 35 years ago.

Archibald Shaw, 81 of Ardrossan, carried out the horrific abuse 35 years ago in Kilmarnock and Newton Stewart and may die in prison.

The High Court in Glasgow heard yesterday that he refuses to accept his guilt.

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The NSPCC in Scotland praised the victims for their “brave actions” in coming forward.

In evidence they said he ruined their childhoods.

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

Judge Bill Dunlop QC told Shaw: “It is of some concern that you continue to deny your responsibility for these offences. The evidence was overwhelming. You carried out an appalling catalogue of perverted, predatory behaviour towards two children.

“You stole their childhood and affected the quality of their adult lives.

“I can never understand why while you are violating children you don’t think these people will become adults and one day will bring you to account.”

Judge Dunlop said that, but for Shaw’s age, he would have imposed a longer sentence. Shaw was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. His seven-year sentence will begin after he finishes a 21-month sentence for stalking a 15-year-old girl.

The court heard that Shaw was in the Army for 12 years after joining aged 17, and served in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Germany.

Shaw’s victims who are now in their 40s went to the police after hearing on the radio that he had been convicted of stalking the schoolgirl.

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

Shaw 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.