A MAN was told yesterday to expect a jail sentence after being found guilty of sexually abusing a boy.

A jury at Teesside Crown Court cleared Russel Hall, 44, of East Terrace, Hesleden, east Durham, on six charges of indecent assault against a male, relating to two boys.

But the jury returned guilty verdicts on a further three charges of indecent assault against a male faced by Hall. These involved a third child.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said earlier that it was alleged Hall had inappropriately touched the children and had threatened violence.

Judge John Walford said a custodial sentence was inevitable but granted permission for a pre-sentence report to be prepared along with a report from the sex offenders' team.

He warned Hall he would be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register and remanded him in custody.

The case was adjourned pending the preparation of reports.