A PERVERT pensioner brought to justice after more than 50 years is behind bars.

Thomas Smyth was today (Thursday, May 2) jailed for five years at the High Court in Glasgow.

The 85-year-old earlier admitted sexually abusing three young girls between 1965 and 1975 at various addresses in Saltcoats.

Lord Matthews told him: “These were disgusting offences against children who look to you for support and protection.”

Smyth, of Saltcoats, was put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.

The first girl was abused when she was four, then again around the age of nine.

Prosecutor Duncan McPhie said: “She told him she did not like this, but did not tell anyone.”

The second victim was about five and the third girl aged between 10 and 11 when Smyth struck again.

The court heard abused two of the youngsters while giving them a piggy back.

The victims bravely came forward in 2017 and it lead to Smyth being held.

But, the OAP initially insisted: “It did not happen.”

The first offender later pled guilty to three charges of using lewd and libidinous behaviour.

Smyth had earlier failed to show for a court appearance. He claimed to be suffering from ill health at the time.