A FORMER swimming coach, who sexually abused a trusting schoolgirl from the age of 12, has been jailed for 15 years.

Salesman Maurice Lavell was found guilty of two counts of rape and eight sexual offences against a child following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Jurors heard how 44-year-old Lavell, from Stroud Park Avenue, Christchurch, had repeatedly abused his young victim for his own ‘sexual gratification.’ As well as orally raping her twice and molesting her, Lavell forced her to relive her harrowing ordeal twice, by video link, in court.

A second trial was held after jurors at the first failed to reach verdicts. During the first proceedings prosecutor Stephen Dent described Lavell’s abuse as ‘no holds barred’ and in a taped police interview his victim recalled the first time he had forced himself on her, saying: “I felt sick, I told him that.”

The court heard how the abuse had come to light after the girl was referred to a psychiatrist after running away from home and having sex with a man she had met on the internet.

Police were informed of her allegations and an investigation launched. Officers discovered the victim’s 2008 diary in a side pocket inside Lavell’s car.

When interviewed, his victim, who is now in her late teens, said she had scribbled markings about her relationship with Lavell on her bedroom wall, using invisible ink, which showed up under ultra violet light.

In Lavell’s defence, the court was told that he was a man of previous good character and had ended the abuse six months before his arrest.

Sentencing Lavell, Judge John Harrow told him that his young victim had trusted him, adding: “Sadly you grossly abused that trust. Your abuse continued for just over two years.

“The memories will, no doubt, haunt her for the rest of her life. These are very serious matters and call for heavy punishment.”

Speaking after seeing her attacker being jailed, his emotional victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said: “He is a danger and I’m relieved he has been locked up for a long time. I hope my story inspires others who have been abused to speak out.

“I’m still having counselling but hopefully I can now have some closure and start trusting again.”

Her mother told the Daily Echo: “I’m so grateful that justice has, at last, been done and my daughter can now move on with her life and have a happier future.”