THE 64-year-old chairman of a Herefordshire archery club has been found guilty by a jury of sex offences against a 13-year-old girl.

Christopher Vincent-Northam of Whitney on Wye, was found guilty at Worcester Crown Court and was remanded in custody with a warning he would receive a substantial prison sentence.

He was chairman of the Lugg Valley Company of Archers and carried out the offences in January 2014 against a girl under the age of 16.

On his LinkedIn account he said he worked for nine years as a support services officer with the planning department at Herefordshire Council until 2013.

The jury heard Vincent-Northam had sexually assaulted the victim in his car and in the village hall at Dinmore Hill.

He did not take the stand to give evidence in his defence.

The jury was unanimous in finding him guilty of sexual activity with a child on January 3, 2014. Guilty verdicts of 10-2 were returned on charges of attempted rape and sexual activity with a child on the same day.

Not guilty verdicts were returned on a charge of sexual activity with a child in October, 2013, and causing or inciting child prostitution or pornography by asking her to send indecent images of herself to him.

Ben Close, defending, said the girl had made up the accusations because she had been in trouble with her mother after being spotted smoking in the street.

Judge Toby Hooper QC said he would sentence Vincent-Northam in September or October. Time served in the meantime would count against the sentence.