A WIDNES man whose assaults against a 12-year-old girl two decades ago escalated to an attempted rape has been jailed for four years.

Michael Greaves, 51, committed the offences over a five-month period 20 years ago while the victim's mother was visiting an ill relative in New Zealand.

Greaves, formerly of Widnes but now a resident of Blackpool, first assaulted the girl on her 12th birthday - just days after her mother's departure, Warrington Crown Court was told.

Simon Mills, prosecuting, said Greaves had told the victim of how easily someone could hurt her by taking her away from her mother.

Greaves continued to perform indecent acts on the girl, with the crimes becoming increasingly serious. He also made his victim perform indecent acts on him.

He then tried to have full sex with the girl. When his first attempt caused his victim to scream, he stopped, telling the girl he would never hurt her.

The attacks stopped shortly before the girl's mother returned from overseas.

Greaves told her that no-one would believe her if she said anything, and that she would probably never see her mother again if she did.

Greaves had denied all charges against him.

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