Child sex attack solicitor guilty

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/norfolk/8279330.stm

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A Norfolk solicitor has been found guilty of sex assaults against a young girl over a period of three years.

Michael Hynes, 46, from Upper Street in Salhouse had denied raping the girl and sexually assaulting her.

Hynes was found guilty at Norwich Crown Court of three rapes and eight charges of sexual activity with a child.

Judge Paul Downes said: "A very significant sentence of custody is likely to be imposed." He will be sentenced on 13 November.

During the trial the court heard from prosecutor Graham Parkins QC that Hynes had groomed the girl and plied her with drugs.

He had also admitted that he was a heavy user of cocaine.

Hynes claimed the accusations had been made out of spite and that the victim had got her ideas from a "trashy novel".

The court was also told Hynes had previously been found guilty of assaulting an unnamed woman although he was cleared of another two charges of attacking her.

Hynes had been a top international solicitor working for renowned law firms in London before moving to Norfolk, the court heard.