A WOMAN who lied about being the subject of a video made by her husband to help him escape justice for child sex crimes was last night branded 'despicable' by victims.

Gayle Ryal initially told detectives that she was shocked to see the short film - recorded on a mobile phone - and said the sleeping female did not look like her.

But when the case reached court, the hospital worker insisted it was her and the clip had been recorded by her husband Peter, who said it was part of a role-playing sex game.

School caretaker Ryal, 43, from Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, was convicted of four sex charges on the sixth day of a retrial at Teesside Crown Court.

Last night, his victims and their families told of their delight at the guilty verdicts - and despair at the actions of Mrs Ryal.

"They made out that the girls had been lying, and have put them and us through hell for more than two years," one mother said. "A court of law has proved who the liars are.

"It's hard to believe that someone trusted to be among children can act like this, and even harder to understand why his wife would make up a story to protect him."

Another parent told The Northern Echo: "What she has done is despicable. Even in the face of conclusive evidence, she chose to lie on oath - not just once, but twice. It's unforgivable, really."

Hospital worker Mrs Ryal, 48, left court with her husband and a supporter, but the couple would not answer questions.

Ryal, who worked at Richmond Church of England Primary School, in North Yorkshire, was asked if he had put his wife up to it, or if he had any remorse, but stayed silent.

Judge Sean Morris granted him bail until mid-September and ordered that a pre-sentence report should be prepared by a probation worker to look into his background.

The judge told Ryal: "Don't read into that any indication as to sentence. I can't see any way other than a custodial sentence in this case. Bail will give you time to put your affairs in order."

North Yorkshire County Council suspended him in August 2014 until the outcome of the case, and said in a statement last night that he no longer worked at the school.

Prosecutor Ian Mullarkey said Ryal was arrested after two girls said they had been indecently touched by him, and that he sent them inappropriate texts.

Ryal claimed in a police interview that the accusers were lying because they were angry with him, and the messages contained nothing more than he would send friends.

But when his mobile phone was examined, the video was found of Ryal breathing heavily as he approached a sleeping female, whose face cannot be seen, and pulling down her bra to film her breast.

A university professor of anatomy and forensic anthropology, Sue Black, was called to give evidence in the retrial, and said it could not be Mrs Ryal.

Prof Black's damning testimony was crucial to the case, and Detective Sergeant Andy Palmer said afterwards: "The jury was told Mrs Ryal could be excluded. That was vital."

The jury of seven women and five men took four hours and 45 minutes to reach unanimous verdicts on charges of sexual assault and making an indecent photo of a child.

Ryal, of Sutton Avenue, Catterick Garrison, showed no emotion in the dock when they were announced, or when majority 11 to one verdicts were delivered on two other counts of sexual assault.

He had to sign on the sex offenders' register before leaving court, and is likely to be made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order when he is sentenced to curb his future behaviour.

The court heard that the text messages he sent to the girls included randomly saying "give me a kiss, I love you" and one containing a photo of a filled bath, saying "join me in here".

Det Sgt Palmer added: "I would firstly like to praise the victims and witnesses in this case who have shown great courage giving evidence.

"Pete Ryal has been found guilty of sexually assaulting three children after sending them a number of grossly inappropriate text messages.

"Thankfully, a jury saw through his attempt to use his previous good character to escape justice.

"North Yorkshire Police will thoroughly investigate any allegations of this nature, and while serving as a warning to would be perpetrators, I hope it demonstrates to victims that they will be listened to and receive specialist support throughout the process."

The county council said: "Safeguarding children and young people is given the highest priority by Richmond C of E Primary School.

"As soon as allegations against Adrian Peter Ryal came to light in August 2014, he was immediately suspended and is no longer employed by the school.

"The allegations against Ryal did not relate to any child at the school."