A man who indecently assaulted two girls over a three year period in the 1970s was caught after his victims confronted him.
Alexander McComish, 72, started abusing the two women when they were aged 10 and 13, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard on Thursday.
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 before Sheriff Derrick McIntyre.
Depute fiscal Michelle Young told the court that McComish would touch the girls inappropriately. On one occasion, he plied one of his victims with whisky before he indecently assaulted her.
Ms Young also said the two victims had met each other in August 2009 and recalled what McComish had put them through.
Ms Young added: “They went to his house and confronted him about what he had done. The accused denied his actions. Shortly afterwards he took an overdose and ended up in hospital. As a consequence the police were notified and investigated the matter. When he was asked by police about the allegations, he responded ‘it’s rubbish.'”
Sheriff McIntyre placed McComish on the sex offenders register
