Prosecutor in Shaw case: 'This validates the young girl and her family'

Deputy County Attorney Tim Sullivan, along another member of his team and defense lawyers confer during jury selection last week as David Shaw, seated, looks on. (Rochester Voice photos)

DOVER - The prosecutor in the case against a Lebanon man found guilty of raping a young Barrington girl said the man's conviction wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for the bravery of the victim who testified and the sacrifice of the jury who had to listen to "some very uncomfortable stuff."

"We're very happy for the victim and her family," Deputy County Attorney Tim Sullivan said on Thursday. "It's a long process, and people don't realize how difficult it is to go through an ordeal like this. This (the verdict) validates the young girl and her family."

David Shaw testifies on Tuesday during his sex assault trial at Strafford County Superior Court in Dover.

David A Shaw, 48, formerly of Lower Guinea Road, Lebanon, Maine, was found guilty of two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault for performing oral sex on the victim and having her perform oral sex on him, both punishable by 25 years to life in prison.

He was also found guilty of having the victim touch his penis, a felonious sex assault punishable by 10-30 years.

Shaw was first indicted in 2017 in connection with the assaults, which occurred between August 2015 and August 2016. The indictments were retooled and reissued late last year.

"It's been a long and difficult process for the family," Sullivan said.

He said, for him, one of the important takeaways from the trial was that everyone should be vigilant and aware that there are those who are capable of such despicable acts.

"Nobody wants to believe this is possible under their roof, but as long as there is someone who is vulnerable, it can happen," he said. "You have to pay attention to your kids."

The victim, who suffers from autism and was around the age of 8 at the time of the assaults, testified for an extended period of time during trial, but held her own while facing multiple lines of questioning from both the state and defense.

The Rochester Voice contacted the girl's mother, who said on Thursday she would have no comment at this time.

Meanwhile, Shaw will be back in court for sentencing on May 30.

During that hearing the prosecution and defense will explain their arguments for an appropriate sentence, and victim statements will also be read. Typically the judge then retires to chambers to deliberate before returning and pronouncing sentence.