A serial sex predator who raped and assaulted a string of victims over more than four decades has been jailed for 14 years.

Michael Conway, 66, abused six young girls and two women in the West Lothian area between the late 1970s and 2021.

One woman was raped and assaulted and frequently targeted while asleep and unable to give consent.

A second woman was inappropriately touched.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Conway’s child victims were aged between four-years-old and 14 when the abuse began.

The paedophile was convicted of being indecent towards four girls under the age of 16 and sexually assaulting two others.

“Conway is an abhorrent abuser who now faces the consequences of his despicable actions,” Detective Chief Inspector Jonny Wright said.

“I hope his conviction and sentencing will offer some form of justice to those involved, who have shown incredible strength and courage throughout the reporting and court process.”

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In June, Conway was found guilty of 14 charges following a trial at the High Court in Livingston.

His crimes included two charges of assault and rape, five indecent assaults, and three counts of indecent behaviour towards girls aged between 12 and 16.

He was also convicted of two charges of sexually assaulting young children and two counts of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour.

Conway was handed an 18-year extended sentence at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, with 14 years in jail and four years on licence once released back into the community.

He was also added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

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Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s procurator fiscal for high court sexual offences, said: “Michael Conway is an opportunistic abuser who exploited his position of trust to sexually offend against these women and young girls.

“Despite his depraved actions inflicting unimaginable trauma, the victims showed incredible bravery giving evidence which has ensured he has now been convicted and held accountable.

“We would urge any victim of similar crime not to suffer in silence but to report it, no matter how long ago the offences occurred.

“You will be listened to and supported as we seek to secure justice using all the tools available to us.”

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