Dunbar child sex fiend jailed for abusing schoolgirls

Paul Weissgerber fondled the youngster on a number occasions over a seven-year period when the pair spent time alone at his home.

Weissgerber, from Dunbar, East Lothian, was also found to have exposed himself to the child he had targeted and who was just nine-years-old when the abuse began.

The 53-year-old had denied the historical allegations against him and forced his victim to attend court and give evidence during his five day trial last month.

But a jury did not believe his denials and found him guilty of two sex attack charges following the trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Two further charges of sexually assaulting a second young girl over the same period between 1998 and 2005 were found to be not proven.

Sheriff Alison Stirling told the attacker he had committed “ a gross breach of trust” and the sexual abuse of the child had taken place while she was between the ages on nine and 15.

Sheriff Stirling added: “I have taken the view only a custodial sentence is appropriate due to the nature of the offences.

“The offences are very serious and they took place over a long period of time and involved the touching of the girl and involved a high number of acts.

“A gross breach or trust was involved in this case as the child was between the ages of nine and 15.

“She didn’t want anything to be done about it as she didn’t want to break up your family.”

Weissgerber, who uses his middle name David, was caged for two years and also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Solicitor Stephen Mannifield, defending, said following his conviction the perv had “a change in his acceptance” of the sex assaults on the girl and had “taken steps to prepare himself” for a custodial sentence.

Mr Mannifield added Weissgerber’s conviction has “stigmatised” his daughter and that he was worried about the health of his elderly mother while he was inside.

Weissgerber was found guilty of using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards a nine-year-old girl an address in Dunbar, East Lothian, between October 1, 1998 and September 30 the following year.

He was also convicted of using the same behaviour towards the same girl by repeatedly inducing her to sit on his knee, place his hand under her clothing and touch her at a separate address in the town between October 1, 2000 and September 30, 2005.