A SPRINGSIDE man who raped two schoolgirls more than 40 years ago has been jailed for seven years.

Michael Martin, formerly of Craig View, Springside denied the rapes and claimed his victims were wicked and evil liars.

However last month Glasgow's High Court found him guilty of raping a seven-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl at various addresses in Glasgow between 1976 and 1978.

Martin was also convicted of sexually abusing a four-year-old girl in 1979.

His victims who are now grown women - aged 47, 55 and 42 - told the High Court in Glasgow that when Martin abused them he told them to be quiet saying “Shh.”

They told the jury that they told no one of their ordeal them and one added: “Who would have believed us in the 1970s.”

The jury was told by the victim who was 14 when she was raped by Martin: “I told my mum, nothing came of it."

The abuse took place when Martin was looking after the children. His vile crimes were finally exposed when his victims decided to go to the police after 40years. 

Prosecutor Angela Gray said: The sexual abuse of children is often committed in a secretive way and there are rarely eye-witnesses.

“These are different children of different ages, in different houses, but there are striking similarities in their evidence. The accused found and took opportunities.”

Jailing Martin for seven years, Judge Lady Carmichael Martin told him his victims were vulnerable when he abused them and his abuse continued to have a lasting effect.

A spokesman for NSPCC Scotland said: A spokesman for NSPCC Scotland said: “The horrific abuse these victims suffered at the hands of Martin will have had a devastating impact on their lives and we hope they will find comfort from the fact that Martin has finally faced justice and is now behind bars.

“Abuse ruins childhoods and its effects can last well into adulthood. This case illustrates once again that survivors of abuse can come forward and report it, no matter how much time has passed, so offenders can be prosecuted and they can finally receive help and support.”

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free, 24/7, on 0808 800 5000. Children can call Childline at any time on 0800 1111.