Two former Dr Barnardo's child carers have been found guilty by a court in Belfast of a catalogue of rape and sexual abuse.
The Belfast Crown Court jury of nine men and one woman deliberated for almost nine hours over two days before convicting pensioner Sarah Jayne Margaret Hewitt and 46-year-old Robert George Anderson of a total a 70 offences.
Hewitt, who will be 69 tomorrow, formerly from the Coast Road in Drain's bay was found guilty of a total of 53 charges including indecent assault, gross indecency and assault committed against eight children between December 1977 and June 1981.
Anderson, formerly from the Hillhead Road in Ballycarry but now living in England was convicted of 28 similar including indecent assault, two charges of rape and gross indecency committed against five children between January 1979 and June 1981.
However the jury unanimously cleared Hewitt of 17 charges and Anderson of 11 charges.
Seven of the eight victims were present in court to hear their abusers being convicted with some shedding tears of relief and joy while others simply whispered "yes".
Trial judge Mr Justice Weir released both Hewitt and Anderson on bail pending the completion of victim impact and other reports but warned them not to take that as an indication that they would not receive prison sentence and that any "non compliance" with their stringent conditions would result in them "being taken into custody forthwith".