He has stolen our childhood

Sisters: People we loved and trusted have turned against us

- SARAH VESTY

TWO BRAVE sisters say members of their own family turned against them after they spoke out about the years of horrific abuse their brother had inflicted on them.

Sarah McLeod and Chelsea Downing waived their right to anonymity to shine a light on the vile abuse carried out by Edward Reid.

Mum-of-two Sarah, 29, told the Record: "When he was found guilty, we thought that people would finally believe us and it would be fantastic but it's not really been like that.

"A lot of people still don't know what he's done because it was a closed court. A few have asked if he just touched me once when I was like 12 and I've made a big deal about it.

"But they have no idea that it has been serious sexual abuse over a number of years. We've lost quite a lot of family over this.

"People that we loved and trusted have turned against us. It's cast a shadow over our character and mental health wise, it's not been great."

However, the defiant pair want to send a clear message to the predator that they won't ever be cowed as a result of his horrific attacks.

And they hope to embolden other victims of sex crimes to come forward and report rapists and abusers regardless of the circumstances.

Reid, 32, was found guilty following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh last month after forcing his victims to give evidence against him.