A DJ friend of Jimmy Savile has been convicted of a catalogue of historical sex offences against young girls.

Ex-Radio Caroline DJ Ray Teret, 73, used his celebrity status in the Manchester club scene in the 1960s and 1970s to prey on many of his victims.

Teret - known as 'Ugli Ray' - was mentored by Savile in the early days of his career and was described as following him around 'like a shadow', Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Teret, of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, told the jury he had no interest in underage girls, despite a previous conviction for sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl in 1999, an offence he continues to deny.

Jimmy savile by the right with him famous friend back then
 

He denied 18 rapes, two other serious sexual assaults, one attempted rape, 12 indecent assaults and one count of indecency with a child.

After more 60 hours of deliberations, he was convicted of seven rapes and 11 indecent assaults. He was cleared of the other charges.

Opening the case, prosecutor Tim Evans said: 'The Crown say that young teenage girls, far from doing nothing for him, were consistently pursued by him through the 60s and 70s.'

Many of the victims were starstruck, with DJs treated like 'royalty' in that era, said Mr Evans.

He said: 'The basic set-up, the background is the same - a naive girl who has the headlights of fame shone on her, who is taken to a flat and without more, without any understanding of what is going on, has a male many years older, having sex with her.'

Giving evidence, Teret told the prosecutor that men who pounced on a girl and hoped to get away with it 'want shooting' and he had never been in that situation.

He said: 'I only make love. Not sex, sir. I only make love with ladies who want to make love with me.