Prison term for lewd acts

In court this morning, a former Westminster resident received a sentence amounting to 10 years for sexually abusing two members of his family. The sentence was handed down to Harold G. Fincannon, who now lives in Myrtle Beach. He pleaded guilty to two charges of lewd act on a child—offenses that occurred several years ago but were only brought to light a couple of years ago. Assistant Solicitor Lindsey Simmons said Fincannon inappropriately touched two members of his family, in one instance every three months when the girl visited his home. Judge Eugene Griffith heard from the victims, a niece and a granddaughter, and how what happened to them helped deprive the two of a normal childhood. One of the victims is now 43 years old. What happened has created strife and distrust among family members. The Oconee courtroom was crowded was crowded this morning. On one side sat the victims and their families. On the other side were members of the defendant’s family who were sympathetic to him. Fincannon’s wife, Helen, said her husband is 76 years old and any sentence that sends him to prison is liable to be a death sentence, considering his age. She and others who spoke for the defendant asked for leniency.