THE reputation of a married Baptist church stalwart has been destroyed after it emerged he continually lied to cover up a five-year affair with an underage girl.

Farmer Philip Lloyd, 55, of Henley, Langport, outwardly appeared to be a respectable family man while he started having a sexual relationship with the youngster when she was just 14.

But the high regard in which Lloyd, who played the piano in his church, where he was involved in youth work, was held in the community was shattered when he was jailed for eight years at Taunton Crown Court after admitting four offences.

He continued to deny the affair right up to the day of his trial, when text messages he had sent the girl were unveiled.

Jennifer Tallentire, prosecuting, said he struck up a friendship with the girl a number of years ago and the two of them texted each other almost daily.

They started hugging and kissing, progressing to a sexual relationship when she was 14, all led by Lloyd, Miss Tallentire said.

She added: "She believed it to be a love affair. She loved him and believed he loved her.

"The defendant became jealous if she tried to form relationships with other boys. There were times when he was rather controlling."

When she ended the relationship after she was 19, Lloyd became "nasty" and she told a friend of the affair, who then reported it to his church.

"He lied to everyone and said nothing had happened," said Miss Tallentire.

A statement from his victim said: "I genuinely believed he was the perfect Christian man.

"I had strong feelings for him and grew to love him, but I was still a child and he was a mature man."

She said she now finds it hard to form relationships with men and has often felt suicidal.

Mark Evans, defending, said Lloyd, whose wife is standing by him, has contributed to his community and is "a caring man who gives to others and wouldn't wish to harm anyone".

He added that his client "bitterly regrets it and is very sorry" and stands to lose everything.

Judge David Ticehurst, jailing Lloyd on the day he turned 55, said: "This will be a memorable birthday for you."

He added: "You betrayed your wife and your family; you betrayed your church and your so-called faith; above all, you betrayed a vulnerable child.

"A genuine Christian wouldn't have contemplated behaving in this way, let alone do it."