A CHILD sex fiend who struck while working as a caretaker at a Darwen primary school was today behind bars facing years in jail.

Control freak Graham Walsh, 34, who had attacked the frightened girl at night in Sainsbury's car park in the town, was found guilty of rape and eight charges of indecent assault after a week long trial.

The part-time pub worker had spun an elaborate web of lies to the Burnley Crown Court jury but they convicted him unanimously of every charge against him.

The victim's family, who had watched the proceedings from the public gallery, broke down in tears as the verdicts were announced.

Walsh, who formerly worked at St Peter's CE School, showed no emotion as he was remanded in custody for a pre-sentence report by Judge Pamela Badley.

The divorced father of one, of Melita Street, Darwen, had denied all the allegations against him. The girl was not a pupil at the school.

His barrister Julie Taylor had asked for bail until sentence for Walsh to put his life in order, but Judge Badley refused and continued: "It's the time for Graham Walsh to start facing this right now, with the jury's verdict."

The judge, adjourning the case until April 26, told the defendant: "You have been convicted clearly by this jury on each and every one of the serious charges. You are facing a long sentence of custody."

Judge Badley, who said Walsh would have to sign the Sex Offenders' Register, added she would have to consider the risk he posed when she passed sentence.

The jury had been told how Walsh groomed the girl victim for sex, persistently and systematically abusing her over about two years, between March 2000 and January 2003.

Tim Brennand told the court the defendant's vile behaviour towards the child became more serious as his confidence grew. He plied her with drink, controlled her physically, played mind games with her and did not want her to have boyfriends. Walsh had treated and kissed the girl like an adult, performed sex acts on her and got her to perform indecent acts on him.

He said Walsh's obscene behaviour culminated in him raping the victim. After the 20 minute attack, he told the sobbing child: "At least you now have some experience when you have boyfriends."

The prosecutor told the jury the girl had no motive to lie to them about what Walsh did and her evidence was not some "form of plot."

The defendant was arrested last April after her family called police.

Giving evidence, Walsh, who worked part-time at "The Brit" pub in Darwen, said he was employed at St Peter's School, between February 2001 and November 2002.

The defendant, who had also worked at a children's adventure holiday centre, insisted the girl had made up her claims because she did not like him.