A police officer who sexually abused a girl under the age of 13 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

John Stringer, 43, from Cardiff, was found guilty of five counts of sexual abuse at a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in September.

The court heard the victim suffered “severe psychological harm” as a result of Stringer’s abuse.

After his conviction, Stringer was dismissed from Gwent Police and barred from policing for life.

Judge Daniel Williams told the sentencing in Newport that Stringer’s attempts to convince a jury of his innocence were “odious and cynical”.

He also said he was a “high risk to female children”.

Stringer was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault by touching and one charge of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was also found guilty of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and causing a child to watch a sexual act.

In a personal victim statement, the court was told the abuse had left a “lasting negative, painful memory” of a large part of the girl’s childhood.

The statement, read by prosecution lawyer Ian Wright, said the girl started self-harming after the abuse and was “desperate to remove the feeling” of Stringer’s hands on her body.

Her family said “no matter how many times we told her she was loved, she won’t believe us”.

The court heard she also had suicidal thoughts and had been taken to accident and emergency on many occasions, with the family scared she would take her own life.

The statement added: “She has built her barrier high, she doesn’t trust people, has no self esteem and blames herself.”

Sentencing Stringer, Judge Williams said in relation to one aspect of the abuse “she told you she did not want to do it, but you kept on and on at her demanding she did”.

He said the abuse was getting worse when Stringer was arrested.

Judge Williams said it had been “heartbreaking” for the court to hear of the impact the abuse had on the girl.

Stringer was told “your status as a police officer enabled you to conceal your motives and offending”.

Judge Williams told the family of the girl “it is clear to me that she is a kind, caring, intelligent and honest girl. She is to be commended for her courage in coming forward and her honesty in coming forward”.