Friday 14 November 2008: The Beverly Hills fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander was found guilty Thursday of sexually assaulting seven girls and young women whom he lured with promises of modelling careers, Agency reported.

The verdict came after a two-month trial that offered a sordid portrait of the fashion world. Prosecutors accused the Indian-born Alexander of using the promise of modelling jobs to lure young women and girls as young as 14 to an apartment where he acted out sadistic fantasies.

He faces a further 10 misdemeanour charges that include rape, sexual assault and other counts, and Alexander could face life imprisonment.