A PLUMSTEAD paedophile has been found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting two young sisters in the 1970s after the victims came forward nearly 40 years later.

Patrick Ryan, 64, of Ancona Road, was convicted of four counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape and seven counts of indecent assault by a Woolwich Crown Court jury today [Apr 30].

Ryan, who then lived in Coleraine Road, Blackheath, violently abused the two primary schoolchildren at his flat over a number of years.

His victims were just seven and nine when the assaults started in 1973 and they have been praised by police for “courageously” seeking justice in late 2011.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Joanne Crockford said: "The victims were only seven and nine when they were subjected to numerous violent sexual assaults and rapes by Ryan.

“He took advantage of their age and extreme vulnerability and abused them for his own sexual gratification.

"The victims should be commended for coming forward, even though these offences occurred some 40 years ago.”

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Thomas, of the Met Police's Sapphire command, which investigates sexual offences, added: "The ordeal these two women went through as young children was horrific and traumatising.

"To come forward after so long must have taken extreme courage and their determination to see justice has resulted in Ryan's conviction.

“Ryan is a convicted paedophile who will now be monitored for the rest of his life as a registered sex offender."

Ryan, who denied the charges, will be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on May 31.