Jersey man convicted of sexually abusing girls

A 62-year-old Jersey man has been found guilty of abusing two girls over a 12-year period in the 1970s and 1980s.

Leonard Vandenborn had denied a total of 14 charges of indecent assault on the girls when they were aged between eight and 15, and one charge of rape.

Jurors at the island's Royal Court found him guilty of rape and all but two of the other counts.

Vandenborn, arrested as part of Jersey police's historic abuse inquiry, is due to be sentenced on 15 June.

The court heard evidence from Vandenborn's victims during the trial.

'Bringing closure'

One of them described how the abuse progressed from cuddles to rape. The other told the jury that at one stage she was abused daily.

Det Insp Alison Fossey, of the States of Jersey Police, said: "The guilty verdict at the Royal Court of Leonard Miles Vandenborn represents the successful conclusion to an investigation within the historic abuse inquiry.

"We recognise the courage of both victims for giving evidence in this case and hope that the verdict helps to bring closure to these serious offences."
Jersey man convicted of sexually abusing girls