YORK, England — Staff Sgt. James Gardner, 34, was found guilty Monday of five counts of rape, four of which involved a minor under 16, after a trial at the York Crown Court.

An airman stationed at RAF Menwith Hill, about 28 miles west of York, Gardner also was convicted on one count of attempted sodomy and two counts of sexual assault. He is scheduled to be back in court on the week of July 24 for a pre-sentence report. He could face life in prison or deportation, a court official said.

Gardner befriended three girls, aged 14, 15 and 17, all of whom were residing at a North Yorkshire children’s home at the time the incidents occurred.

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