POLICE are appealing for any Helensburgh and Lomond victims of a “sexual predator” to step forward after he was jailed for 11 years.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Owen Hollern, formerly of Rosneath, “ruled with an iron fist”.

The 70-year-old, who is also known to have lived in the Clynder and Cove areas in the recent past, left his two young female victims petrified during a series of attacks between 1975 and 1988 at addresses in Dumbarton.

He was convicted in November of four rape charges as well as lewd and libidinous behaviour.

On Tuesday, Judge Johanna Johnston QC told him: “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.”

Detective Inspector Scott Hamilton, based at Clydebank police office, appealed for other possible victims of Hollern to get in touch.

He said: “Hollern was a sexual predator who preyed on these young children, manipulated and abused them.

"Despite the appalling ordeal that he subjected these young girls to, they have had the courage to speak out about what happened to them, and their information has been crucial to this investigation.

“I would like to thank them for their bravery in what must have been a daunting task to report him to police and then to have the courage to provide their evidence in court.

"Their testimonies have been vital to ensure that Owen Hollern is prevented from preying on other young children.

“My thoughts remain with the victims and their loved ones.

"I hope that his sentencing can bring them some solace in that person responsible for these despicable actions has now been held to account and they can move forward with their lives.

“We are committed to supporting victims of sexual crimes and investigating those responsible regardless of when they took place.

"Indeed, there may be more who have suffered at the hands of Owen Hollern, and I would encourage them to come forward to police.

"They can be assured of being fully supported by officers and our partner agencies.

“I would also like to thank the team of officers who worked on this investigation for their dedication and commitment to this sensitive case.”

At the trial, Hollern's 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 1980s, 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 put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information.