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A PROLIFIC sex predator has been jailed for 10 years for the "utterly appalling" abuse of two victims he subjected to repeated rape ordeals.
David Ferguson, 67, preyed on one victim when she was a teenager and subjected the other to sex assaults as a child.
Ferguson, who was first convicted of a sex crime in 1973, is currently serving another 10-year sentence jail imposed on him in 2015 for similar offences.
A judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh: "You have been convicted following trial of four charges of the sexual abuse of two women."
Lord Richardson said both victims had been subjected to "sustained abuse" by the rapist.
The judge said: "It is difficult to find words to describe the utterly appalling nature of what you have done."
He said it was clear from victim impact statements prepared by the women that Ferguson's crimes had "a profound impact" on them.
The judge told Ferguson that in sentencing him, he took into account his age and mental and physical health problems.
Lord Richardson said it was apparent to him that Ferguson was not in good health and had mobility difficulties.
But he told Ferguson: "However, a lengthy period in custody is the only appropriate sentence I can impose on you to reflect your appalling conduct."
The judge told him his latest 10-year prison term would begin from when his trial ended.
During the trial, Ferguson had denied a string of charges but was found guilty of four offences three of rape and one of attempted murder committed between October 1988 and August 2010 in Fife.
The first rape occurred at a house in Ballingry when he attacked a victim who was asleep when he began raping her and continued with the sex assault when she woke up. He subsequently attacked and molested the woman again at a property in Cowdenbeath.
Ferguson attacked his second victim when she was aged six or seven at a house in Cowdenbeath when he tried to rape the child.
He later went on to subject her to rape attacks committed in Cowdenbeath and Crossgates.
One victim told the court that he had made her feel "scared" as a child.
Ferguson was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
Detectives from Police Scotlands Public Protection Unit in Fife carried out the investigation into Ferguson and reported him to the procurator fiscal in February 2019.
Detective Sergeant Graeme Dursley said: Ferguson subjected his victims to sustained violent abuse over the years and his sentencing sends a clear message that anyone found to be involved in this type of behaviour will be brought to justice.
I would like to thank his victims for their assistance during our inquiry. It is very difficult to speak about these types of crimes and they have showed immense courage during this investigation.
"My thoughts remain with the victims and their families, and I hope that Fergusons sentencing can bring them some solace in that the person responsible for these despicable actions has been held to account, and they can now move forward with their lives.
Police Scotland is resolutely committed to supporting victims of sexual crimes and investigating those responsible by bringing them to justice, no matter how much time has passed. I urge people to come forward to police and report it. They can be assured of being fully supported by officers and partner agencies.