Marblehead school janitor convicted of child rape

SALEM, Mass. (AP) -- A former Marblehead school janitor has been found guilty of raping two female relatives more than a decade ago when they were ages 12 and 9.

Richard Jones was found guilty Wednesday in Salem Superior Court of child rape with force and indecent assault and battery on a child younger than 14. He is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday.

Prosecutors say between Feb. 26 and Dec. 31, 2001, the 43-year-old Jones forcibly raped and sexually assaulted the girls.

The victims, now 20 and 17, testified at trial.

One victim came forward in 2009 after she learned that Jones was being transferred from the high school to an elementary school and became concerned about the safety of students.

Jones' lawyer said the allegations were untrue and a bid for attention.

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