A WHISTLEBLOWER who spoke out against a man who sexually abused a Warrington youngster could be facing the sack.

This week Stephen Rutherford, aged 49, was jailed for two years for sexually abusing the youngster, when she was aged between four and 12-years-old.

But a council worker in Edinburgh, where Rutherford later moved, has been suspended after bringing the matter to the attention of the authorities there.

Cliff Orr, a chargehand driver for Edinburgh City Council environmental services department, is believed to be facing a disciplinary hearing. Rutherford is thought to have worked for the same section.

Council sources in Edinburgh claim Rutherford complained about Mr Orr "harassing him", leading to his suspension.

Friends have spoken out in support of the whistleblower, saying it is unfair that he still faces action when the allegations he highlighted turned out to be true.

Last Friday Rutherford, who lives in Kilwinning Terrace, in the Musselburgh area of the Scottish capital, appeared for sentencing, having admitted two offences of indecency with a child at an earlier hearing.

Prosecutor Meirion Lewis Jones said the incidents occurred, firstly when she was aged between four and six, then when she was aged between nine and 12.

But Michael Scholes, defending, said his client was not a paedophile and that the offences were the result of "exceptional circumstances."

Passing sentence, Judge Michael Farmer QC condemned the events as a "wicked attack."

He added: "Children need to be protected and people who think of abusing them like you did must be deterred by the courts.

"You should remain in jail for a very long time."

Council chiefs in Edinburgh have remained tightlipped about the saga, claiming it is a "personnel matter" on which they will not comment.