A former paramedic from Welwyn Garden City has been found guilty of raping a young girl multiple times over a ten-year period.

Stuart Gray, of Beehive Lane, was convicted following a trial at St Albans Crown Court, where the court heard how the 60-year-old had groomed and raped his victim between 2010 and 2020.

Gray's crimes were not committed while he was on duty as a paramedic.

After convincing his victim that they were both "angels" on earth and making her believe the grotesque abuse was his way of "saving her", Gray committed sexual acts without her consent, filming and photographing them.

These indecent images and videos were found on his computer following his arrest.

In 2021, the victim – now aged in her 20s – bravely reported Gray to police.

He was arrested and consequently suspended from duty, as well as being removed from the paramedics’ professional register.

Gray had previously pleaded guilty to charges relating to sexual activity with a child, making indecent photographs of a child and voyeurism.

Following his conviction, the 60-year-old was remanded in custody and his sentencing has been scheduled for Friday, September 1.

"I would like to commend the bravery of the victim in this case, as I can’t imagine how hard it was for her to report Gray and to have to recall the chronic abuse she suffered at his hands," said Detective Constable Sonja Townsend, from the Welwyn Hatfield Local Crime Unit.

"Gray was 50 when the abuse began, and the victim was just a child.

"Gray’s behaviour is a gross abuse of trust, and his actions will live with the victim for the rest of her life.

"I only hope seeing Gray convicted helps bring closure to this chapter of her life so she can move forward. We now await sentencing in September."