A SERIAL child sex attacker who raped and abused three young girls over a period of seven years is today facing the first of many days in prison.

Brian Hoverd, 46, was convicted of repeatedly raping and indecently assaulting one girl who was just three years old when the abuse began. Her ordeal went on for six years.

Yesterday the jury at Oxford Crown Court also found Hoverd guilty of grabbing and raping a teenage girl in a churchyard.

He was cleared of three counts of raping a five-year-old girl, but convicted of three indecent assaults against her. The attacks took place in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

At the start of the trial, Hoverd denied all 11 counts of rape and 11 indecent assaults, forcing his three victims to relive their childhood horror in court.

Last night, the mother of one of his victims said her daughter still had nightmares.

She said: “These girls have really struggled to bring this matter to court. It has not been easy to deal with the memories and emotions, but my hope is that it has been cathartic and now they can get on with their lives.

“Twenty years down the line the truth is out – this whole dreadful story has been heartbreaking for all concerned.”

At the two-week trial one of the victims described being repeatedly raped by Hoverd between 1987 and 1994. When she grew up she told her mother, who confronted Hoverd. He broke down in tears and confessed.

The trial heard Hoverd, who lived in Minster Lovell, west Oxfordshire, was besotted with a 13-year-old girl and, one night in the late 1980s, raped her in a graveyard. His child sex spree only ended when he married in 1995.

Hoverd was convicted of seven rapes and 10 indecent assaults.

He was cleared of one indecent assault on the five-year-old girl.

The jury could not reach a verdict on one further rape charge.

Hoverd showed no emotion as the jury delivered its verdict.

Judge Anthony King remanded Hoverd in custody and asked for medical reports ahead of his sentencing in September.

Dc John Capps, of Oxfordshire’s child abuse investigation unit, said Hoverd’s abuse was premeditated and calculated.

He added: “He is a dangerous man who preyed on young children. I would like to pay tribute to the victims who have shown extreme courage and bravery.

“This is a great example of how offences which have been committed in the past can be investigated and justice can still be done.”

In January last year, Hoverd featured in the Oxford Mail after claiming burglars broke into his home, stealing the family’s PlayStation and cash.

A Good Samaritan left a replacement console on his doorstep. Days later, Hoverd was arrested by police investigating the child sex allegations.

No-one has ever been arrested over the burglary.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk