A pervert has been brought to justice after putting a little girl through years of sexual abuse.
David Craig's horrific behaviour was uncovered when she opened up about her her ordeal at the creep's hands.
The 29-year-old repeatedly targeted his young victim from the age of eight as she watched cartoons, the Paisley Daily Express reports.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard that police were called a decade later and Craig was finally snared.
Procurator fiscal depute David McDonald explained: "At this time, she was in the living room watching cartoons.
"David Craig came in and sat beside her, she felt awkward and so picked up her covers and went and lay down at the opposite end of the couch and pretended to go to sleep."
Undeterred the pervert manoeuvred himself under the girl's covers and carried out a vile sex act at a property in Erskine.
Court heard the victim recalled similar incidents happening for a number of years.
Craig would also climb into the girl's bed and masturbate. And on multiple occasions over the years, Craig attempted to rape the youngster.
The court heard Craig was "fat" and during one sickening incident he lay on top of her so she could not move, then molested her.
Years later, she challenged Craig about the abuse.
Mr McDonald explained: "While on a night out she began receiving messages from the accused and he asked, 'ask anything if u wanna xx'
"He repeated this a number of times, attaching kissing emojis.
"She replied, 'See when we were younger why did you do all that stuff? Just be honest?'
"Craig replied, 'I love u x'
"She again replied, 'Tell me, so why did you do it?'
"And he responded, I love you. Can't believe am saying this but I get jealous when I see with new bfs x.'
"The victim revealed what was happening to someone and the police were contacted."
Defence agent Mr Barr told the court that at the time of the offences Craig "saw her as someone he could have a relationship with" but explained he suffers mentally.
Sheriff Eoin McGinty said: "These are serious offences over a period of time."
Sentence was deferred for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.
Craig's bail was continued and he will return to court for sentencing next month. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register meantime.
