A GRANDAD has been convicted of raping two young girls.

Sixty-four-year-old David Smith's offences took place over a 16 year-period from 1975 to 1991.

He was also found guilty of sexually abusing a third girl and physically abusing two girls and a boy.

But Smith denied the charges against him.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Smith was described by one of his rape victims as always being "touchy-feely."

She was first abused by him at seven years old and first raped when she was 10 told advocate depute Bruce Erroch, prosecuting, that Smith had "stolen her childhood."

He raped her on various occasions between June 1979 and June 1985.

The victim, who is now 45, told the jury that Smith, of Galston, Ayrshire, would also beat her with a belt, a poker, a shovel and a wooden spoon.

His other rape victim, now aged 39, told the jury: "I've blocked most of what he did to me out. It was the only way I was able to survive."

On one occasion between January 1983 and June 1985 She claimed that on one occasion Smith force her to wear his wife's bra and pants before sexually abusing her.

But the jury didn't believe that part of her story and deleted it from the charge.

First offender Smith was also convicted of sexually abusing a third girl between February 1976 and February 1979, including when she was seven.

Smith, who is also known as Darter, engaged in sexual activity with one of his rape victims while she was sleeping in bed with his other rape victim.

All the offences were committed in Galston, Ayrshire.

Judge Lord Matthews told Smith: "The jury has convicted you of a catalogue of very serious offences."

He remanded Smith in custody, placed him on the sex offenders' register and deferred sentence until next month.