Local businessman Frederick Parody has been remanded in custody after a Supreme Court jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl.

The jury returned a majority verdict of seven to two for two counts of sexual assault against a child under the age of 13 almost 24 hours after they were asked to deliberate.

Members of the victim’s family reacted with tears of relief after the verdict was delivered by the jury on the seventh day of the trial.

Parody, 71, also faced one count of rape of a child under 13 and another of causing, encouraging or assisting a child to engage in sexual activity but these charges were dropped on Friday and the jury was instructed to deliver not guilty verdicts in respect of these counts.

Puisne Judge Karen Ramagge Prescott thanked the jury for their service.

Mrs Justice Prescott remanded the defendant in custody, adding that this was a serious offence and she was not minded to grant him bail.

Parody’s defence counsel Felicity Gerry QC and Patrick Canessa requested a pre-sentence report. He will next appear before the Supreme Court on Tuesday 28^th February before a date is set for sentencing.

Robert Fischel QC and Kerrin Drago appeared for the Crown.

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