AN AYR man accused of sexually abusing young children more than three decades ago walked free from court today (Friday, January 27) after a jury returned 'not proven' verdicts.

Paul Satti, 49, was on trial charged with the historic abuse of a girl aged between five and eight and a boy aged between seven and 12.

The female, now 39-years-old, gave evidence that Satti pushed her over a sofa and rubbed his groin against hers at an address in Glasgow between November 1988 and November 1992.

On a separate occasion over the same time period she alleged that he exposed himself to her, grabbed her hand and placed it on his private parts.

The male, also now aged 39, testified that Satti repeatedly abused him sexually at addresses in Glasgow between 1990 and 1996.

He complained that Satti stripped him naked and made him carry out sex acts.

Satti, a whisky blender, denied two charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards the children at the High Court in Livingston.

Giving evidence in his own defence he strenuously denied any indecent behaviour towards his accusers and told the jury they were both lying and had made things up.

Screenshots of text messages sent to Satti by the male between March and April 2018 were shown to jurors.

One said: "Been to see a lawyer about when you sexually assaulted me. I want £5,000 in damages and nothing more will be said. I’m giving you the chance to do the right thing and no-one will ever know."

Satti, of Lindsay Street, said: "I replied two hours later saying: 'Can you call me?' I tried to call him just to see what he was talking about and he never answered. 

"He had a sick sense of humour. If I thought he was being serious I would have sent him a text back saying: ‘What are you talking about?’

"When he never picked up my phone call I thought he just needed money."

The male complainer went to the police in 2018 and specialist officers took a statement from the female almost a year later before reporting the case for prosecution.

The jury took just over two hours to return majority verdicts finding both charges 'not proven'. 

In the light of the jury's verdicts Judge Lord Armstrong formally acquitted Satti, who showed no reaction as he left court with his partner.