A rapist who committed a series of "heinous" attacks over more than a decade has been jailed for nine years.

Alan Lindsay, 47, subjected a woman to a sustained period of abuse, raping and assaulting her on various occasions at bedsits and flats in Edinburgh and West Lothian. On one occasion, he raped his victim while she slept.

Lindsay also molested a seven-year-old girl at a house in West Lothian, pinning her against a wall after lifting her by the throat.

Another girl was pushed to the floor and held down by Lindsay's knee as he threatened to punch her.

Lindsay was convicted of four offences between 1989 and 2005 after a trial at the High Court of Edinburgh last month.

These included one count of rape, one count of lewd and libidinous practices, and two assaults on children. He was jailed for nine years at the High Court in Aberdeen on Friday.

Detective sergeant Keith Mailer, of the public protection unit in Edinburgh, said: "I want to pay tribute to the victims who have shown absolute courage throughout the investigation and trial.

"Lindsay has been convicted of these heinous crimes and I hope this brings some sense of closure for them.

"Police Scotland treats all reports of sexual crime very seriously and, regardless of when the offences occurred, we will investigate thoroughly and professionally to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice."

Lindsay, of Gilmerton Dykes Road, Edinburgh, was also placed on the sex offenders register.

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