Man guilty of 21 sex and cruelty crimes

File Photo / NZH

A Palmerston North man has been convicted on 21 historical sex and child cruelty charges.

The 78-year-old was facing 32 charges, but the jury has found him not guilty on 11 counts, including three indecent assaults, three rapes and three counts of child cruelty.

The man's victims include his children, a niece, step-daughter, and his sons' ex girlfriends. The offending occurred over a 27 year period ending in 1990, and took place in eight North Island towns.

The Palmerston North District Court spent today, and two hours on Friday deliberating.

- Newstalk ZB