A former Upton-on-Severn man has been cleared on two charges of raping a Malvern schoolgirl but been convicted on several other charges of sexual activity with her.
A jury at Worcester Crown Court was out for more than six hours before returning verdicts on 30-year-old David Kember, formerly of Rectory Road, Upton, and now living in Lindhurst Avenue, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire.
He was found not guilty on two charges of rape and one of indecent assault. But he was convicted by majority verdicts on charges of sexual activity with a child and of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The jury failed to reach a verdict on charges of indecent assault, assault by penetration, sexual assault of a child under 13 and sexual activity with a child. He was remanded in custody for the case to be reviewed by the prosecution and will be brought before the court again on September 24.
Prosecutor Jonas Hankin alleged that Kember groomed the girl, from Malvern, over a number of years by telling her he loved her. He gave her presents and at one stage was in a consensual relationship.
But Kember told the court he never abused her and his friendship was for moral support because her life was in turmoil through family problems. He had never talked of marriage and his presents were to cheer her up.
He denied making suicide threats after the teenager said she wanted to end their relationship.
His counsel, Abigail Nixon, alleged that the girl had invented complaints in a bid to get back with her family.
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