Guilty verdict in rape trial
A “sexual predator” who tied up a teenage girl before raping and indecently assaulting her was convicted by a Supreme Court jury yesterday.
The jury also found the defendant guilty of indecently assaulting a second girl two years earlier.
Eight jurors took four hours at the end of a seven-day trial to convict the 28-year local old man.
The defendant was cleared of one count of indecent assault and sex with a girl under 16. A charge of attempted rape was also struck off during the trial.
But the jury found him guilty of raping a 15-year old girl and three further counts of indecent assault, one involving a 14-year old girl.
Puisne Judge Karen Ramagge Prescott remanded him in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing later this month.
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