Norfolk solicitor guilty of sex offences against girl

A high-flying solicitor was today warned he faces a substantial jail sentence after being convicted of sex offences against a girl.Michael Hynes, 46, of Upper Street Salhouse had denied three counts of raping the girl, three counts of sexual assault and five counts of sexual activity with a child.

A high-flying solicitor was today warned he faces a substantial jail sentence after being convicted of sex offences against a girl.

Michael Hynes, 46, of Upper Street Salhouse had denied three counts of raping the girl, one counts of sexual assault and seven counts of sexual activity with a child.

But this afternoon, the jury found the solicitor guilty of the offences.

During the trial, the court had heard Hynes had lived a secret life of drug taking and hid a 'dark side" of sexual abuse against a girl and also a carried out a series of violent attacks on a woman over a period of three years,

While overseeing contracts worth millions of pounds for well known law firms, the Norwich-based solicitor developed a cocaine habit which cost �10,000 over one 12-month period alone.

During this time he allegedly groomed and raped the girl often forcing her to take class A drugs.

The court heard the girl's ordeal only came to light when she was admitted to the Priory clinic with depression.

Giving evidence over a video link she had told a jury she never consented to the abuse but was reluctant to come forward because he told her it was she who would look like the bad person.

Hynes was remanded in custody and will be sentenced in November but the judge in the case warned the solicitor that he faces a 'substantial sentence.'

For more background and reaction see tomorrow's paper.