A sex offender has been jailed for 17 years after repeatedly abusing, raping and threatening his young victim.

Luke Wallace, from Swanley, was deemed a “dangerous offender” after being found guilty of more than a dozen child sex offences.

Wallace was first arrested on June 14, 2022, after abuse allegations were made to police.

An investigation by the West Kent Child Protection Team found he had persistently targeted the victim over a period of between three and four years.

After his arrest, police seized a mobile phone which had a secure folder on it containing illegal images of children.

Wallace dismissed all the allegations during police interviews and also denied taking or downloading the images found on his phone. He claimed it must have been down to someone else.

The 36-year-old, of no fixed address, denied a total of 16 child sex offences at Wood Green Crown Court and the case went to trial.

He was found guilty of four counts of rape, four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of sexual assault.

He was also convicted of four charges relating to making and taking indecent images of a child. A jury returned a verdict of not guilty for a further two counts of rape.

Wallace was deemed by Judge Alexander Jacobs to be a “dangerous” offender.

‘The damage Wallace has caused is both horrific and incalculable...”

Yesterday (December 18) he received an extended sentence of 17 years’ imprisonment with an additional four years on licence.

He must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial sentence before he can apply for parole. He was also added to the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Sarah Ireland, who led the investigation, said: “Wallace targeted his victim from a young age and then went on to systematically abuse and rape them.

“He made threats to the child to try and ensure their silence, but thankfully their school became aware and our officers were informed.

‘The damage Wallace has caused is both horrific and incalculable.

“The lengthy sentence will not take away the profound emotional and physical trauma this child was forced to endure, but it will hopefully go some way to reassuring them Wallace can no longer cause them any harm.

“As a force, we remain determined to identify those who seek to abuse children and ensure they are brought to justice.

“If you, or someone you know, have been the subject of child sexual abuse, regardless of how long ago it was, then please contact us.

“No one should suffer in silence. You will be listened to, and you will be believed.”