A MAN convicted of the indecent assault of a young girl was told he is facing “an inevitable” prison sentence.

The warning was given to defendant Jeffrey Bussey after he was found “guilty” of two charges of sexual touching, on unanimous jury verdicts at Durham Crown Court.

Bussey, who tried to pass off his actions as “tickling”, and on only one occasion, denied both charges,.

But, following the jury verdicts on the third day of the trial, the 58-year-old defendant, of Dene Park, Esh Winning, near Durham, was remanded in custody.

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned sentence until May 26, to allow the girl’s parents to update their victim impact statement, should they wish, and to allow the victim’s school to submit a similar statement.

Bussey is now subject to registration as a sex offender.