A pervert who sexually abused three young boys several years ago, starting when he was a teenager, has been warned he is facing a “very substantial” jail sentence.

Several jurors and George Parker’s parents wept after he was remanded in custody for reports to assess dangerousness.

The former supermarket worker from Tunbridge Wells had denied 12 charges of rape, one of attempted rape, four of sexual assault, two of sexual activity with a child and five of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Parker, 28, now of Victoria Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, was cleared on Friday of one charge of rape, one of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and one of sexual assault, and convicted of the 21 other offences.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Parker started abusing the boys when he was aged just 14 and continued to do so into his early 20s.

Adjourning sentence until a date to be fixed in January, Judge Philip Statman said he needed a report to determine the danger posed to the community “as a whole”.

“These are grave offences,” he told Parker. “You must prepare yourself for a very substantial period of imprisonment.”

The judge told the visibly upset jury of eight women and four men: “You have looked at every single issue with the greatest of care.”

He excused them from further jury service for seven years.