The state Court of Appeals has upheld the 2008 conviction of Percy Bridgeman for two counts of statutory rape.

Bridgeman was sentenced in Madison County to 25 years in prison for incidents prosecutors said occurred in 2006.

On appeal, Bridgeman contended the trial court erroneously allowed the child’s statements to police and others as evidence against him.

Appeals Judge Jimmy Maxwell said on Tuesday the testimony by the 8-year-old child fell under Mississippi’s “tender years” exception to hearsay.

The tender years exception generally allows a parent or licensed professional to tell juries what abused children have told them, including descriptions of any act of sexual contact performed with or on the child by another.