A 41-year-old man has been found guilty of rape and assault by Jersey’s Royal Court.

The court heard David Nigel Pearce committed the offences over an eight year period.

Pearce was initially arrested for an assault in 2020 and was later arrested for the historical offences.

He was charged in April 2023.

Pearce denied all the accusations, but has been convicted following a ten day trial of two counts of rape and two counts of common assault.

He was found not guilty on three other counts.

The investigating officer, Detective Constable Verity Thomas praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward.

DC Thomas says this has had a massive impact on the victim's life, but hopefully, now she can begin to recover.

"I’m sickened by Pearce’s abhorrent behaviour and the pain he has caused the complainant who has shown immense courage in coming forward and giving live evidence in court.

It is down to her courage that he has been convicted today."

Pearce has been remanded in custody to appear in court next Friday, when a date will be set for sentencing.