A Birmingham man has been convicted on 12 counts of sexual abuse involving five young children.

A Jefferson County jury last week found 53-year-old Christopher McHoward guilty on the multiple charges that included first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree sodomy, and first-degree rape.

Some of the crimes took place more than a decade ago. All of the victims were under the age of 12 and the youngest victim was 5 years old at the time the abuse began.

McHoward was indicted on multiple charges in 2017 and 2019. COVID delayed the cases getting to trial.

His trial took place last week before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Stephen Wallace.

A sentencing date has not yet been announced. McHoward was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Thursday following his conviction.

Jefferson County sheriff’s Lt. Detective Michael Jackson was first assigned to the case in June 2016. Jacks, who has been with the sheriff’s office for almost 23 years, worked with multiple agencies including The Prescott House, the Department of Human Resources, and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.

“Some of these victims are now teenagers and have lived through a lot already,’’ Jackson said. “I hope this can give them some kind of closure so they can move forward and live a happy, productive life.”

“The dedication of those involved in the conviction of this child predator is honorable,’’ said Sheriff Mark Pettway.