A cruel, controlling and manipulative pervert has been jailed for 14 years for raping a woman and sexually abusing two girls.

Robert Thrift, 54, committed the offences, which dated back several years, while living in Sittingbourne.

Maidstone Crown Court heard it was not until October 2012 that one of the girls found the courage to contact the police. The woman and the other girl were then also interviewed.

Thrift, of Belvedere Road, Faversham, denied five charges of rape, six of indecent assault, six of indecency with a child and one of sexual activity with a child.

He was convicted of one offence of rape of the woman, indecent assault and indecency with a child on one of the girls and three of indecent assault on the other girl.

The prosecution offered no further evidence on one rape charge, two of indecency with a child and one of indecent assault after the jury of six men and six women failed to reach verdicts.

Thrift - who was allowed to sit outside the dock during the trial after claiming he suffered from claustrophobia - was acquitted of the remaining charges.

“Underneath the jovial facade I have witnessed in the course of the trial I am satisfied you are a controlling and manipulative man...” - Judge Philip Statman

Jurors took over 24 hours spread over almost a week to return verdicts.

But Judge Philip Statman ordered him into the dock last Wednesday to be sentenced.

Prosecutor Philippa McAtasney QC said messages retrieved from Thrift’s computer showed he enjoyed domination and control.

“In addition, he has a sadistic side to him,” she continued. “He talks about domination and submission.

“The prosecution case is this defendant does indeed have a dominant, controlling side to him. He manipulated situations to carry out assaults, pretending he was playing games.

“He made them fear him and set them up to believe they would not be taken seriously or believed.”

Jonathan Turner QC, defending, said it was worth pointing out to jurors that his instructions had not changed about Thrift’s lack of guilt and there would, therefore, be no apologies or remorse on his behalf.

Passing sentence, Judge Statman said: “Underneath the jovial facade I have witnessed in the course of the trial I am satisfied you are a controlling and manipulative man.”

He was jailed for seven years for the rape and seven years consecutive for abuse of the two girls.

Thrift’s name will appear on the sex offenders’ register for life and he will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

After the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Shaun Creed said: "He took advantage of two vulnerable girls and a woman, and I am grateful they felt able to come forward and report the incidents to the police.

"The length of sentence gives us a brief insight into the seriousness of these assaults and I hope his victims can start to rebuild their lives knowing that their abuser has been proven guilty.

"This case shows that it doesn’t matter how long ago a crime took place, we will take it seriously and carry out thorough investigations to ensure offenders are brought to justice.

"All three of Thrift’s victims showed tremendous courage throughout the trial and thanks to their bravery and the pile of evidence compiled by the detectives investigating this case, they and the community should feel reassured that Thrift is now behind bars."