Child rapist who threatened to drown his victim is jailed for 20 years

Robert Ormrod, 43, subjected the young girl, who was aged between eight and 14 at the time of the offences, to a "campaign of rape", and said he would abuse her sister if she told anyone.

Liverpool Crown Court told how his wife had been aware of one incident of abuse but just warned him to "stop or he would get in trouble".

Ormrod, from Brynn Street in the town centre, who repeatedly assaulted the girl over a seven year period, was convicted of six charges of rape following a trial.

He was also convicted of sexually assaulting and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity involving a six-year-old boy and another young girl.

The court heard how the behaviour of the children had deteriorated since the abuse and at least two have needed the intervention of the authorities.

Passing sentence Judge Robert Teague QC told Ormrod: "The bare recital of these convictions gives some indication of the level of depravity to which you sank.”

He imposed an extra year’s licence under new legislation and Ormrod will be assessed by the Parole Board after ten years as to whether he is a risk to the public and if if so he will have to serve the full term.

Defence barrister Carmel Wilde said Ormerod had been sexually abused as a child: "Although it is no excuse whatsoever for the nature of this disgusting offending, it’s very clear that this is a troubled defendant with a very troubled past.”

She said that child protection charity the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which works with sex offenders to prevent further abuse, had produced a report on Ormrod which suggested his “thinking was distorted.”

The report revealed that through his childhood “all closeness and comfort had a sexual component,” she added.

Ormrod claimed he was hearing voices and had an "alter-ego". he was also on suicide watch in prison after repeatedly self harming, the court was told.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders register for life.