NOT only is Joshua Beardmore a sickening pervert who subjected an 11-year-old girl to a horrific ordeal, he is also a coward.

The 25-year-old, who was yesterday found guilty of the attempted rape and sexual assault of the girl, refused to attend Worcester Crown Court to face justice.

He remained in his cell while his trial took place and still refused to attend court for his sentencing.

His victim, on the other hand, showed tremendous courage in not only initially reporting what Beardmore did to her, but also giving evidence to the court.

Father-of-one Beardmore attacked her in a city alleyway while he was walking her back to her home, in May, but clearly he refuses to accept responsibility for his heinous action, denying the charges and then snubbing the court.

Yesterday Judge Jim Tindal labelled Beardmore a 'coward' who 'couldn't even have the courage to come to court to face up to what he's done', adding: "For all I know he's sat in his cell pretending it's not happening."

In my view, Beardmore should have been forced to attend court to face justice.