A MAN who denied sexually abusing a six-year-old girl has been jailed for four and a half years.

And Philip Derham, who repeatedly molested the child, will also have an extended licence of two years and six months upon his release.

The 38-year-old, of Buckingham Road, Lawn, was jailed at Winchester Crown Court last week after being convicted following a trial at Swindon Crown Court. When they returned their verdict, the jury were not aware Derham was already awaiting sentence after being convicted of abusing another young girl last year.

In November, again following a trial, a different jury found him guilty of five counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

And earlier last year he admitted two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity after getting her to send him pictures of herself in a state of undress.

At the latest trial the court was shown a video made by the six-year-old’s mum where the child used cuddly toys to show how Derham had abused her in 2016.

At the trial last year the court heard how Derham repeatedly messaged the 15-year-old family friend and exchanged suggestive texts with her. He then took her to Lydiard Park and out for drives in his car where they performed sex acts.

After he was convicted at that trial, the judge told him that the fact the victim consented to what happened may not spare him jail, as she was a child.

The jury heard the girl was questioning her sexuality when she started to message the defendant.

Derham, who has a wife and children, sent messages including one reading ‘it would be nice to be with you if you were older’.

He then started to send more graphic messages and got her to send him pictures. He then drove her to Lydiard Park where he took her into a hedgerow for sexual activity. A few days later he took her out again and they stopped in a lay-by on the road to Marlborough.

Derham claimed that what she was alleging was all fantasy and that he had never had any sexual contact with her, but a jury rejected his version and found him guilty.

An NSPCC spokesman in South West England said: “Derham has been exposed as a dangerous child sex offender, responsible for the horrendous abuse of two girls – including a series of sickening assaults on a six-year-old girl – purely for his own sexual gratification.

“His victims must be praised for their enormous bravery in speaking out.

“Thanks to their actions, Derham is now behind bars where he cannot hurt any other children.

“Without the right support, abuse can ruin childhoods and affect individuals into adulthood, so it’s vital all those affected can access the help they need rather than suffer in silence, as sadly so many do.”

ChildLine, 0800 1111, is available 24/7 to offer confidential advice to children. Meanwhile, adults concerned about a child’s welfare can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.