A FORMER prison guard is facing jail for abusing a young schoolgirl in the Wee County more than 30 years ago.

Robert Imrie, now 57, was 24 when he targeted the girl, who cannot be identified, at an address in Clackmannanshire.

He exposed himself, straddled her while she was lying on the floor, and induced her to perform a sexual act.

She said nothing at the time, but went to the police 30 years later after a conversation at a funeral.

At Falkirk Sheriff Court today, Imrie, formerly of Sauchie, near Alloa, now of Barrhill, Ayrshire, pleaded guilty to using lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices and behaviour towards the girl on a date between January 1983 and January 1985.

The youngster would have been aged between 10 and 12 years old.

The court heard that Imrie had been serving in the British Army at the time, and later joined the Scottish Prison Service, from which he is now retired.

Sheriff Craig Caldwell deferred sentence until March 16 for the preparation of a risk assessment and a social background report.

Imrie's bail was continued.