A MAN has been jailed for six years for sexually assaulting two women in North Ayrshire.

Paul MacFayden was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, March 13.

The 61-year-old was found guilty in December of indecently assaulting two female fitness instructors and raping one of them.

The attacks were carried out between January 2003 and April 2004.

He was jailed for six years and hit with a non-harassment order banning him from contacting or approaching the two women in any way for 20 years.

Detective Inspector Fraser Spence said: “Despite the passage of time the victims provided us with statements which allowed us to carry out this investigation.

"I hope this sentencing offers them comfort as they move on with their lives.

“We continue to be committed to bringing all perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice. Time is no barrier to our enquiries.

"I would urge anyone who wishes to report a sexual crime, regardless of when it happened, to contact us so we can conduct a thorough and professional investigation."

McFadyen, of Erskine, Renfrewshire, was found guilty of five offences at the High Court in Edinburgh on December 15.

He preyed on the younger woman at a community centre in Ayrshire and subjected both to sexual and inappropriate remarks and touched their breasts and buttocks.

He went on to rape one victim in a vehicle parked on an Ayrshire industrial estate.

McFadyen had denied a series of offences, but was found guilty of one charge of rape, three of indecent assault, and a breach of the peace.