TWO Winchester brothers have today been found guilty of sex abuse after three others were acquitted.

Five Elkins brothers were accused of sex offences during a six-week trial at Winchester Crown Court.

David Elkins, 60, faces jail after targeting girls as young as four during eight years of attacks mostly dating to the 1970s.

Anthony Elkins, a 69-year-old steward at Winchester City Football Club, was convicted of indecently assaulting a girl aged between nine and 16 over a similar period.

David Elkins, of Battery Hill, Stanmore, broke down in tears this afternoon as the jury convicted him on 13 counts after 32 hours of deliberation.

He abused three underage girls, including one between the ages of four and eight and another between six and 10, the jury found.

In offences dating back to 1969, Elkins took pictures of a third girl in sexual positions after offering her sweets and chocolate, prosecutors said. His victims cannot be named for legal reasons.

Derek Elkins, 66, and Richard Elkins, 64, were cleared of sex attacks on a young girl midway through the trial because prosecutors were unable to prove the age of the alleged victim, crucial to the charges.

A fifth brother, 62-year-old Michael Elkins, of Fleming Road, Harestock, was acquitted on Friday of sexually assaulting her as an adult. The Chronicle was unable to report the acquittals at the time due to a court order by Judge Susan Evans QC.

Jurors acquitted David Elkins of attempted rape and could not reach verdicts on two indecent assault charges. The judge said he would "almost certainly" face an immediate prison sentence.

Anthony Elkins, of St Catherine's Road, Highcliffe, attacked a girl between 1968 and 1975. The woman made allegations against all five brothers as well as a sixth, Stewart Elkins, who was due to face trial but died in August.

There are 15 siblings in the Elkins family.

The public gallery was closed for the verdict after the jury raised security concerns.

On several occasions more than 20 people were in the public gallery, including friends of the alleged victims, while around 10 relatives accompanied the brothers in court every day during deliberation.

The judge offered jurors a secure room to stay in until guards confirmed those in the public gallery had left the building. They were also offered escort by security to their cars and public transport.

David Elkins was remanded in custody while Anthony Elkins was conditionally bailed. Both will be sentenced on November 20.

Detective Constable Kerrie Harman, the officer in the case, said today: “I want to take this opportunity to thank the victims in this case for having the bravery to come forward and give evidence. It is because of their courage that the defendants have now been found guilty of serious sexual offences and are awaiting sentence.

“We will always take every allegation of sexual abuse extremely seriously, so if you’ve been a victim or know someone who has, please contact us and help us bring the offender to justice."