A PAEDOPHILE is spending Christmas behind bars after being convicted of abusing two young girls.

Gerard O'Brien, 54, abused the two children at separate properties, in Ibrox and Cardonald between September 1988 and June 2000.

His victims, who were just aged four and seven when the abuse began and cannot be named for legal reasons, told the jury how they suffered for years at the hands of O'Brien.

Following a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court, O'Brien was found guilty of using lewd and libidinous practices towards the girls.

O'Brien will return to the dock next month for sentencing.