Cult member admits abusing two school girls in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire

A member of a religious group known as the Children of God has admitted raping two schoolgirls almost 30 years ago.

Derek Lincoln, 74, committed the offences at various addresses in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, and Renfrewshire between 1989 and 1996.

At the High Court in Glasgow prosecutor Kath Harper said: “The accused was a member of a religious group sometimes known as the Children of God.

“Many members were known to one another only by names attributed to them by the group, making identification of witness difficult.”

The group, who living communally, performed missionary work in the West of Scotland and had limited interaction with the outside world.

The first rape victim described Lincoln as 'stern and controlling” and began abusing her when she was 11 or 12.

Lincoln's second victim was raped when she was nine or 10. After abusing her he would tell her he was sorry and frequently bought her gifts.

The abuse come to light when his first victim made a complaint to police in England.

Lincoln, who was retired and living in France, has no previous convictions.

He was returned from France to Scotland on October 9, 2019 on a European Arrest Warrant.

Judge Lord Matthews deferred sentence on Lincoln, who is in custody at Barlinnie prison, until next month for background reports.