A disgraced teaching assistant is today facing a 'substantial' term of imprisonment after he was found guilty of sexual assaults against two young girls.

Darren English, 44, of The Street, Norton Subcourse, near Loddon, who worked as a teaching assistant at a South Norfolk primary school, had denied three counts of sexual assault on one girl and two further charges against a second girl.

But yesterday a jury of eight women and four men at Norwich Crown Court took just over four hours to find him guilty of three offences against one girl and one offence against another.

He was found not guilty of a second sexual assault against the second victim.

English, who was dressed in a black suit and blue shirt, shook his head as the verdicts were returned yesterday.

Judge Anthony Bate adjourned sentencing until May 12 but warned the defendant he 'should be under no illusions' that he would not face a 'substantial custodial term'.

During the trial the court was told the allegation involving the first girl came to light after she confided to her mother about what she said was 'her and Darren's secret'.

The school and police were contacted about the matter and English was arrested, but when the school sent out letters informing parents a second girl came forward, and English was arrested for the further offences.

In interview, English denied he ever sexually assaulted the girls and said he had no sexual interest in children.

Giving evidence, he denied the offences and told the jury how he had been arrested at the school.

English was given conditional bail until the next hearing.

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