A pervert convicted of historic sex abuse of a young girl has been jailed for 12 years.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Justin Dixey, of Moyle Close, Gillingham, continued to maintain his innocence.

He denied one offence of attempted rape of a child under 13, six of indecent assault and two of indecency with a child, but a jury took only just over an hour to return guilty verdicts in January.

The 50-year-old married father committed the offences more about 17 years ago. He molested the victim and got her to touch him.

Dixey, said to have been a martial artist who could do the splits, tried to rape her but she managed to stop him and flee.

Michael Haynes, defending, submitted it was not a case of grooming. There was no evidence Dixey had offended before or after the abuse, he added during brief mitigation.

Passing sentence, Judge Adele Williams said Dixey had been convicted “on clear and compelling evidence”.

“You engaged in a course of conduct on about three occasions whereby you touched her sexually,” she said. “It culminated in a very frightening occasion when you attempted to rape her.

“She has lived with this secret for many years until she could no longer live with it. By your conduct you robbed her of her innocence as a child.

“You have caused her maximum harm and distress. There was psychological harm.”

Judge Williams said Dixey had been in continuous work and character witnesses spoke highly of him.

But she added: “The pre-sentence report indicates you are in denial. You lack insight into your crimes.”

Dixey’s name will appear on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. He will also be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.