A man has been jailed for life after being found guilty today of a frenzied knife attack on a schoolgirl as she walked through a Chorley park.

Jessica Knight, then 14, was listening to her iPod when Frenchman Kristofer Beddar, 21, launched the unprovoked assault, stabbing her 20 times in the chest, neck, stomach and back.

She was left for dead in the deserted, darkened park, but was discovered by passers-by and underwent five hours of emergency surgery as doctors battled to save her life.

Beddar, described as a loner with a fiery temper who habitually carried a knife, had downed half a bottle of whisky.

He tried to dispose of his blood-stained clothing.

He later confessed to his mother Marion: “Mum, I think it must have been me” - and she turned him in to police.

Beddar, of Daisy Hill Drive, Adlington, was living with members of his English family at the time of the attack in the park in Astley Village.

He admitted wounding with intent on January 21 this year, but claimed he had no memory of attacking Jessica and had no motive to kill her.

But he was convicted by the jury of attempted murder following a six-day trial at Preston Crown Court.

He was sentenced to life and will serve a minimum of 12 years.

Jessica, now 15, has been left with “long-term physical and psychological problems”, the court heard.