Paedophile caught after overdose bid

A PERVERT who indecently assaulted two girls over a three-year period in the 1970s was snared after his victims confronted him, a court has heard.

Alexander McComish, 72, started abusing the two women when they were aged ten and 13, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard yesterday.

The pensioner, of Dalkeith, Midlothian, started picking on the girls in July 1973. The abuse, which took place at various addresses in Midlothian, ended in July 1976.

The court heard how his victims decided to confront him about his past actions in 2009. Their move led to McComish taking an overdose and the police becoming involved.

McComish pleaded guilty to two charges of committing lewd, libidinous and indecent acts.

Depute fiscal Michelle Young told the court that on one occasion McComish plied one of his victims with whisky before he indecently assaulted her.

After placing McComish on the sex offenders register, Sheriff Derrick McIntyre added: “These are serious matters.”

Sentence was deferred until March 20 for reports about McComish’s character.