MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ABUSE

A 20-year-old woman has alleged that she was sexually abused over the past 15 years by a Cape Girardeau man, the Cape Girardeau County prosecutor's office said.

Paul D. Rains, 48, has been charged with 10 separate felony crimes in connection with the woman's testimony to police, said Lora Cooper, assistant prosecuting attorney.

If convicted on all charges, Rains faces over 50 years in prison, which could be increased due to two prior felony convictions of burglary in 1974 in Cape Girardeau County.

Rains has also been charged with perjury for giving false testimony before Circuit Judge Scott Thomsen. Rains told the judge he had no sexual contact at all with the woman. Court records attribute Rains' perjury to the fact that the woman has a 2-year-old son, whose father is said to be Rains.

The prosecutor added six additional felony charges on Thursday, after Rains was initially arrested March 2, Cooper said.