A former law lecturer who abused young girls has been described as the most ‘dangerous and vile’ individual ever dealt with by senior investigators.

East Anglian Daily Times: Julian Myerscough has been convicted of 11 charges relating to the abuse of children under 13 Picture: SUFFOLK CONSTABULARYJulian Myerscough has been convicted of 11 charges relating to the abuse of children under 13 Picture: SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

Julian Myerscough showed little emotion when jurors returned unanimous guilty verdicts to 11 charges, including rape and indecent assault on girls under 13 between 2001 and 2010.

The 57-year-old, formerly of Lowestoft, had been hauled back from Romania after fleeing there before being convicted of possessing indecent images of children in 2015.

Det Con Kate Bond spent six years on the case and sat through the trial of the former University of East Anglia lecturer, who she and colleagues described as "an utterly remorseless predator".

"I'm over the moon for the victims; that their long wait for justice, and his reign of terror, are over," she added.

"I have the utmost admiration for those girls to stand up in front of the court. I hope they can all put this behind them."

Det Ch Insp David Henderson said police worked closely with the prosecution service to swiftly bring Myerscough back from Romania, where he fled after being released from Irish jail following an extradition appeal.

He added: "Everyone worked tirelessly. It has been emotionally draining for all concerned."

Det Insp Simon Bridgland said Myerscough arrogantly absolved himself of any responsibilty for two rapes, four indecent assaults and four counts of assault by penetration - or for previous convictions for indecent images in 2015 and 2009, when one of his victims was asked about his behaviour but felt scared to disclose details.

DI Bridgland said: "He still tried to exert control during his trial.

"He is a man who thinks he is above the law. How wrong he was.

"In 23 years of policing, I've never dealt with a more dangerous, vile, evil individual."

During his trial, Myerscough described allegations against him as "impossible" and "fantastic".

He tried to explain away previous crimes by arguing that images found in 2009 were "hidden" on a computer he acquired from someone else.

In 2015, he walked away from court while the jury retired to consider a verdict. He was detained in Dublin but later released by the High Court.

Myerscough, who said he was sexually abused and beaten by inmates while waiting extradition in a Romanian jail last summer, will be sentenced on Tuesday.