Man guilty of sexually abusing girls in 1990s

An Invercargill man accused of sexually abusing two young girls almost 20 years ago was on Wednesday found guilty of three charges of sexual violation.

Jade Auckram, 33, was also found not guilty on three charges of the same offence and one of inducing a girl to do an indecent act.

A 12-person jury took eight hours to decide the Auckram's fate following a three-day trial in the Invercargill District Court.

The Crown alleged Auckram committed the offences in his bedroom at his mother's house, sometimes when the victims were sitting on his knee playing on his computer.

Auckram claimed the allegations were false.

Earlier in the day, Crown prosecutor Mary-Jane Thomas and defence lawyer Roger Eagles gave their closing addresses and Judge Kevin Phillips summed up the case.

Auckram was released on bail and will be sentenced on March 31.

- © Fairfax NZ News