It took a Nassau jury just 35 minutes Monday to convict a Long Beach man of sexually abusing an 8-year-old child.

The abuse began in fall 2005 and continued into spring 2006, authorities said.

Emil Best, 39, was convicted of two counts of committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree, three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas recommended a 25-year sentence, the maximum allowable by law.

“The defendant — throughout his entire adult life — has shown a callous disregard for the dignity and well-being of defenseless children,” Singas said. “Robbing a child of his or her innocence is particularly disturbing and our prosecutors will be recommending that he be sentenced to 25 years in prison.”

Best is due back in court on Jan. 25 before Supreme Court Justice Angelo Delligatti. He faces a minimum 10-year sentence, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office said.

Mineola attorney Jeffrey S. Groder, who currently represents Best, said his client is disappointed with the verdict.

“He maintains his innocence,” Groder said.

The 8-year-old victim — whose gender and relationship to Best is being withheld to protect the child’s identity — reported the abuse for the first time to authorities in 2012.

Best was arrested by Long Beach Police Department detectives on July 30, 2013.

Prior to the abuse of the 8-year-old, Best already was a level two sex offender for a January 2000 conviction for attempted sexual abuse in the first degree in a case involving a 9-year-old child.

He also was convicted in December 2008 for endangering the welfare of a child in a case involving a 12-year-old.

Best is a prior violent felony offender; he was convicted in July 2010 of assault in the second degree for attacking a Nassau County Corrections Officer, the district attorney’s office said.

Best is being held at Nassau County Jail and will remain there until he is sentenced.

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Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

Snowy mix hits region ... What's the future of NUMC? ... LI Swifties ready for the big game ... Chow down in Charleston ... What's up on Long Island

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