FELIXSTOWE MAN CLEARED OF RAPE BUT GUILTY OF SEXUAL ABUSE
A man has been cleared of raping a schoolgirl but convicted of sexually abusing her during the 1990s.Gary Grant was convicted by a jury of seven crimes committed against a teenager when she was aged 13 to 15 and he was in his mid-20s.
However, the 54-year-old Grant was cleared of raping the girl, and three counts of indecently assaulting her.
He was convicted of four counts of buggery and three other counts of indecent assault.
Previously, Ipswich Crown Court heard that the allegations took place between 1996 and 1999.
Giving evidence during his trial Grant, now 54, said he had a year-long relationship with the alleged victim during which they had consensual sex.
Grant, of Landguard Court, Felixstowe, also told the court he had been diagnosed by a clinical psychologist as having developmental delay and impaired memory.
The court heard that Grant met the girl while she was walking to school and she had skipped school to go to his flat.
It was alleged that Grant groomed the girl by giving her cigarettes and alcohol.
He is expected to be sentenced on April 20.
