Gregory Witham 42

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A paedophile who repeatedly tried to rape a girl was arrested after she wrote "I want to die" on a school computer.

Gregory Witham molested his young victim on multiple occasions leaving her with "severe psychological harm".

Liverpool Crown Court today heard she started self-harming as a result of the abuse, which was spotted by teachers.

But the predator denied any wrongdoing and forced the child to endure a trial, when he blamed her for what happened.

The ex-Navy serviceman, 39, formerly of Walton, shook his head when he was today jailed for 16 years.

Judge David Swinnerton said Witham's attempts to blame his vulnerable victim showed "a complete lack of remorse".

He said: "Of course she is not to blame in the slightest. It's appalling that you seek to suggest that she was."

Witham was found guilty of two counts of attempted rape, which the court heard reflected "repeated attempts" to rape his victim.

He was convicted of eight counts sexual activity with a child, which included four counts involving repeatedly touching the girl's genitalia under her clothing, and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, which was an attempt to get her to perform a sex act on him.

Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, said the abuse came to light after an incident at the girl's school.

He said: "It was suggested she had written 'I want to die' on a school computer."

Mr Roberts told the jury teachers were concerned and spoke to the victim, who initially denied writing the words, but said she was unhappy and harming herself, and the reason was because she was being sexually abused by Witham.

The prosecutor today said: "The defendant asserted during the trial and has repeated in his pre-sentence report that she was sexualised and had essentially attempted to come on to him if I can use that phrase, which the Crown would say is a deliberate attempt to impugn her character."

Mr Roberts said there was also "a degree of degradation", because Witham would become angry with his victim and tell her she was "useless".

Six members of the girl's devastated family attended the sentencing hearing this morning.

The court heard a victim statement written by the girl's mum, who said her daughter had tried to write it herself, but became "very distressed and broke down in tears".

The mum said: "She said to me she thinks about what happened every single day."

She told the court she believed her daughter would benefit from counselling, but the girl didn't want it because she doesn't like to talk about the abuse, which brings it all back to her.

The mum said: "She is putting on a brave face, but I know as her mother deep down she is hurting."

Witham, now of Manor Road, Blackpool, who has no previous convictions, was supported by three people sitting in the public gallery.

Jimmy Vakil, defending, said: "I cannot mitigate on the facts and I would not seek to minimise the seriousness your honour of these offences."

He added: "It's always sad when someone of good character, indeed someone who has represented their country, falls in this way.

"On his behalf I ask for an element of mercy in the sentencing process. There is a genuine wish on his behalf to become a better person."

Mr Vakil said his client wanted to undertake any courses available in prison "to make himself that better person".