A SCHOOL governor was facing prison last night after he was convicted of child sex abuse, which occurred nearly 30 years ago.

Two women broke their silence when they discovered that Norman Guffick had become a school governor, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.

The women went to the police after they read a letter published in a newspaper from Guffick describing himself as a governor of Rossmere Primary School, in Hartlepool.

Yesterday, Guffick, 58, of Benmore Road, Hartlepool, was found guilty on two charges of indecently assaulting two girls under ten between May 1974 and July 1981.

He was found not guilty of another similar charge.

Following the verdict, Judge George Moorhouse said: "You must realise this is a very serious charge which, in my view, will fully justify a custodial sentence in due course. So you must not have any false hopes."

Guffick was remanded on bail for pre-sentence reports, and the judge allowed him to change his address.

Christine Egerton, defending, said: "He is going to have to move because there have been troubles in the com- munity where he is living now."

One victim told the jury that when she saw the letter in the local newspaper she discussed her concern with her sister. A second woman, not related, came forward after police began their investigations and neither was linked to Rossmere Primary School, said Shaun Dodds, prosecuting.

Guffick was arrested on January 17 this year. He denied all the charges.