Man convicted of sexual abuse says he was the victim

A jury found an 82-year-old Rexburg man accused of sexually abusing a young girl guilty on one count of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16, and not guilty on one count of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 16.

Defendant Ronald G. Bird testified on the stand Friday. Bird said he feels like he’s the victim in the case. He said this case has taken three years of his life away.

He seemed upset every time he described the incidents involving a 4-year-old between April and September 2009.

He was asked if he contacted the girl’s parents.

“I felt too embarrassed to tell anybody expect for my next-door neighbor. I talked to him, and I told him what she did,” said Bird.

Sentencing is set for April 5 at 2 p.m.