Man convicted of raping a seven-year-old girl

Michael Duncan, formerly known as Michael McGowan, of The Crescent, Bletchley, was convicted yesterday of one count of rape against the seven-year-old girl and one count of indecent assault against the eight-year-old girl.

His conviction followed a week–long trial at Aylesbury Crown Court.

The rape offence took place between December 1996 and December 1997 and the indecent assault offence took place between April 1996 and November 1996.

Duncan was also found guilty in September 2015 at Aylesbury Crown Court of one count of indecent assault between April 1996 and December 1996 against the rape victim following an earlier week-long trial.

The offences took place in Milton Keynes when Duncan was aged 14.

Duncan was arrested on 10 March 2014 and he was charged with the offences on 29 September 2014.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Marcus Miller from Bletchley Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: “The defendant committed terrible crimes against two very young girls and then denied the crimes. The victims have had to relive the offences by going through the legal process and I am pleased the jurors have convicted him.”

He added: “I would like to commend the bravery of the victims and their families in reporting these crimes and I hope these convictions can add some closure and reassure others that Thames Valley Police work to ensure those who have committed such offences face the consequences of their actions.”

Duncan is due to be sentenced for all of the above offences at a court yet to be confirmed on 3 May 2016.