He had previously been found guilty at the same court on 21 February of:

• Three counts of rape;

• Eight counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child

• One count of indecent assault

The offences related to two girls who were under the age of 16 at the time.

The court heard how McKechnie’s offending came to light in October 2016 when a woman, then aged in her 30s, came forward to report abuse she had suffered in January 1992 when she was aged in her early teens.

She told officers that McKechnie – who was known to the girl – had sexually assaulted her at a house in Sydenham.

As officers began to investigate the incident, a further woman came forward in December 2016. The woman, aged in her 20s but in her early teens at the time of the abuse, alleged McKechnie – who was known to her family – had raped and sexually assaulted her on numerous occasions between 2003 and 2004.

McKechnie was arrested and initially tried to claim he was in prison at the time of the alleged incident in Sydenham. However, checks revealed that he had been granted leave that weekend.

Although still in denial, McKechnie was charged with multiple offences.