A pensioner faces prison for repeatedly molesting a schoolgirl over four years.
Former factory worker Gerald Barclay sexually abused the child in the 70s, a jury has decided.
The 74-year-old told his victim to keep his sordid behaviour as their little secret – and she stayed quiet for 40 years.
But the brave woman came forward to police two years ago.
She told the jury from the witness stand: “I have struggled with this all my life. I cannot deal with it any more.”
Barclay, who worked at the Gleason Works in Estover, denied the abuse and went on trial over four days at Plymouth Crown Court.
But he was found guilty by unanimous verdicts of three offences of indecent assault and two of gross indecency with a child between 1972 and 1976.
One of the counts represents several incidents of abuse.
Barclay, of Carradale Road, Eggbuckland, was cleared of four later charges of indecent assault after just over five hours of deliberations.
Smartly-dressed Barclay showed little reaction as the forewoman announced the verdicts.
Judge Robert Linford adjourned sentencing until July 11.
He told Barclay: “Do not take the fact that I am adjourning sentencing and the fact that I am granting you bail serve as any indication of the sentence.
“You have been convicted of very serious offences. You must expect a prison sentence.”
Barclay told the youngster that it should be their “little secret” at the start of his abuse.
The complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said that she felt she could not tell her family at the time.
Referring to attitudes about sexual abuse, she added that the 70s were “different times”.
The woman said in a video recorded police interview: “I just felt I needed to tell someone (in 2017). I needed to do this for me. It was a crime and it should not have happened.
“I have kept his secret for all this time, I don’t want to do it any more.”
William Parkhill, for Barclay, said that his client was suffering from a heart condition and was awaiting surgery.
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