A KELTY man has been sentenced to 23 months in prison after a "long campaign of horrifying abuse" against four young girls.

Colin Christie, 51, of Ashfield Gardens, began offending in 1977 when he was still at school, with one of his victims aged just six when he first attacked her.

This continued into adulthood and he was still carrying out sexual offences in 2000 when he abused another young girl.

Christie, convicted of eight charges after a five day trial in April, was sentenced yesterday at the High Court in Edinburgh.

A spokesman for NSPCC Scotland said: “Christie’s long campaign of horrifying abuse will have had a devastating impact on his victims. "We hope the sentence passed will offer some relief.

“The effects of child sexual abuse can last long into adulthood and it’s vital that victims are supported and know they will be listened to when they speak out.

“It is also crucial that Christie receives treatment while in prison to reduce any risk of reoffending he poses when he is released.”

The trial was held at the High Court in Dunfermline and he was found guilty of a string of offences committed between 1977 and 2000

at addresses in Leven, Kennoway and Coaltown of Wemyss.

The monster was cleared of an offence of raping one of his victims and carrying out an act of oral sex on another.

During police interviews shown in court, Christie, a logistics manager with a company in Rosyth, admitted sexual abusing the girls.

On various occasions between August 16 1977 and February 17 1986, at an address in Leven, he used lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour to a girl, who was aged seven when the abuse began.

On an occasion between March 2 1985 and February 17 1986 at an address in Kennoway he indecently assaulted the same girl by lying on top of her when she was sleeping, holding her arm and lifting up her nightdress.

On various occasions between November 3 1977 and November 2 1987 at addresses in Leven and Kennoway, he used lewd, indecent and libidinous practices against a second girl, who was six when the abuse began.

On various occasions between August 16 1977 and January 1 1981 at Leven he used lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards a third girl, who was nine when the abuse began.

And on various occasions between March 2 1997 and March 1 2000 at an address in Coaltown of Wemyss he used lewd, indecent and libidinous practices against a fourth girl who was aged 12 when the abuse began.

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.