Child sex man awaits sentence

A MAN has been found guilty of having illegal sexual relationships with two young girls over a fiveyear period.

A Townsville District Court jury found Zaine Steven McNeish guilty of two counts of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child and 20 other sexual offences, including rape and procuring a child to commit an indecent act.

McNeish was charged with 30 sexual offences concerning three sisters, all aged under 12 at the time of the alleged offending.

After almost 15 hours of deliberation the jury was unable to reach a verdict on eight of the charges but found McNeish guilty on the bulk of offences.

Judge Greg Lynham released the jury from their duties and it will now be up to the prosecution to consider how they would like to proceed with the remaining charges.

Judge Lynham said the most serious charges McNeish was found guilty of were the two counts of maintaining unlawful sexual relationships with a child.

The youngest child complainant, who is the victim in one such charge, was aged between two and seven during the time of the offending.

Her sister, the middle child, was aged between four and 10 during the time McNeish maintained an unlawful sexual relationship with her.

Judge Lynham remanded McNeish in custody for the matter next to be heard on July 16 when a sentencing date will be discussed.

Maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.