A RAPIST who preyed on two young girls in Dumbarton was today jailed for 11 years.

Owen Hollern was branded a “sexual predator” who “ruled with an iron fist”.

The 70 year-old left his victims petrified during a series of attacks between 1975 and 1988 The crimes occurred at different addresses in Dumbarton.

Hollern was locked up at the High Court in Glasgow after being found guilty of four rape charges as well as lewd and libidinous behaviour.

Judge Johanna Johnston QC said: “You have been convicted of a series of dreadful sexual offences.”

She added the OAP had caused “profound and long lasting damage” by what he done.

Hollern had denied the accusations.

But, in her closing speech to jurors, prosecutor Angela Gray said: “The Crown case is that what Owen Hollern has tried to keep hidden for over 40 years is that he is a sexual predator and a rapist.

“He has for a significant period in his life abused young females.”

The first victim – who was 14 at the time – recalled being “scared” and “did not feel like she could say no”.

The court heard how the other girl was abused from around the age of 11.

She also felt “frightened” after being “groomed” by Hollern.

Jurors heard he “ruled with an iron fist”.

This girl initially went to police in the late 80s, but then retracted the allegations.

It was not until earlier this year that officers came to them during an investigation.

Miss Gray asked jurors: “Why would these women come here to tell intimate details to strangers in those circumstances if they were not telling the truth?”

Hollern was also put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.