A FORMER Andover town councillor has been found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing a child.

Adam Buckenham, 47, was on trial at Winchester Crown Court where he denied 14 charges including rape, sexual abuse of a child, taking indecent photographs of a child and voyeurism.

He had also pleaded guilty to six other charges.

Following the week-long trial which started on Monday, March 6, Buckenham was found guilty of eight counts of rape and all other charges by a jury that deliberated for four hours and 59 minutes and delivered their verdict on Monday, March 13. 

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In 2019 he was elected during a by-election to Andover Town Council for the Downlands Ward as an independent councillor.

The trial heard that Buckenham, who now lives on the Isle of Wight, incited a child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to engage in sexual activity.

Opening the prosecution case, Rob Welling previously told the jury that Buckenham “started small to begin with, first of all, it was a peck on the lips then it was kissing with open mouth, telling her that if she loved him that was the way they should kiss.

“[The victim] had very little insight as to what was happening and very quickly she felt out of control, she was scared to say no to him because he would get moody if he didn’t get his own way,” Mr Welling said.

Defending, Fern Russell KC asked the complainant, who appeared through a video link, questions about her consent.

READ MORE: Adam Buckenham, former Andover town councillor, on trial accused of sexually abusing and raping child

The complainant said she was not willing to engage in the sexual activities and she only agreed to it only because she was scared of him.

Judge Andrew Barnett said: “It is likely he will face a very long prison sentence.” 

He also thanked the jury for listening to a “difficult case”.

He added: “I thank you on behalf of the court service and the county.”

Buckenham will be sentenced on May 5 at Salisbury Crown Court and will be remanded in custody until then.