An 'opportunistic' Swindon paedophile has been jailed for four years for molesting a 10-year-old girl.

Mark Warren, 52, will also have to sign the sexual offenders' register for the next 10 years after he began touching the girl on a regular basis following his wife's death.

At Swindon Crown Court earlier this month Warren was found guilty of three counts of sexually assaulting the young girl and attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was sentenced today at Gloucester Crown Court by Recorder Peter Towler.

Prosecutor Rebecca Fairbairn told the court the attacks took place after Warren tickled the girl and had play fights.

She said: "One incident involved him squeezing and touching her naked breast.

"Another offence relates to touching the complainant's breast over her clothes, on a number of occasions, no less than four to five times."

He also touched her inappropriately at other times and encouraged her to do the same to him.

"She was in year six at school when it took place and the defendant would start tickling her and would get rough with her," said Ms Fairbairn.

Christopher Smyth, defending Warren, of Colbourne Street, said a pre-sentence report made it clear he still denied the offences.

He told the court: "It is not insignificant that it happened after the death of his wife. Prior to her death he was a happily married man.

"He has worked for a company for 33 years, he owned his own property after he paid off the mortgage and has no debt.

"For this to have happened, well it is devastating. It has completely turned up his life. He is of previous good character and at low risk of reoffending.

"In the past he barely has had more than a parking ticket."

The court heard Warren had been suspended from his job since the allegations came to light and was expecting to be dismissed.

Recorder Towler said the assaults took place on a regular basis and had a severe effect on the girl.

He told Warren: "She told a friend of her mother's and it was only after counselling that she felt able to speak to the police.

"She was not prepared, for a long time, to even talk to her mother.

"It has affected her relationship with boys and feelings while she was in the presence of men wondering what they are thinking and doing.

"It has had a huge impact on her life and she needs to be able to move forward.

"It has had a serious psychological effect on her, which is hardly surprising."