Man admits sexual abuse of two girls

A MAN has admitted sexually abusing two young girls, one of them more than 20 years ago.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday 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: "At the time she didn't tell anybody about it out of fear."

Mr Kirk said the victim much later told someone and 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 until years later.

Ashall served a prison sentence last year for having indecent images on his computer.

He admitted using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour in Edinburgh, and abusing a second girl in the city.

Sentence was deferred for reports. Ashall, of Broughton Place, Edinburgh, was placed on the sex offenders register.

His bail was continued.