AUBURN — Certified hypnotist Aaron Patton was found guilty on all counts of sexual assault against a teen who he allegedly hypnotised after sex to keep her from revealing the abuse.

Patton, of Jay, was found guilty of four counts of gross sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact, and two counts of sexual abuse of a minor.

The victim, now 17, testified yesterday that Patton groomed her at an early age for sexual abuse. When she was 12 years old, she began hypnotism treatments for breaking a nail-biting habit, and she said that he would touch her breasts and private parts during the treatment. When she was 14, he began having sexual intercourse with her once a week, including anal and oral sex, she said.

Patton’s attorney, Henry Griffin, said yesterday that Patton admitted having sex with the girl, but that she had been 16 at the time, and under state law, his client hadn’t acted criminally.

We’ll have more information on SunJournal.com as this story develops.