A gloating paedophile raped a child and then bragged about it with a vile tattoo on his chest.

Now Leslie Iles, 61, has been jailed for 11 years watched by his courageous victim.

She had revealed how following the attacks she remained silent –fearing she would not be believed.

In a statement, read to Canterbury Crown Court, the brave woman said she was forced to carry around “this awful secret in my head, which was always there.”

Iles’ victim finally decided to reveal the secret after an innocent game with friends brought back nightmares.

“When it finally came out, I felt disgusted... and I wasn’t able to sleep because my head was bursting with it, “ she added.

Isles, of Coolinge Lane, Folkestone, carried out the two attacks some years ago and then threatened his victim into remaining silent.

At his trial he denied the two assaults but was convicted by a jury - who also acquitted him of attacks on others.

Prosecutor Paul Valder revealed the victim’s education suffered because of the sex assaults as she struggled to sleep because of her nightmares.

"I wasn’t able to sleep because my head was bursting with it..." - Iles' victim

The victim then self-harmed, telling the judge, she hoped the physical pain of the wound “might take away the pain in my head... although I now see it as a mad thing to have done.”

But despite her fears, the victim gave evidence at his trial when he was convicted of rape and assault by penetration.

Mr Valder revealed that sometime following the attacks, Iles had a tattoo boasting of his deprive actions on his chest.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Iles’ actions against this young girl are utterly despicable.

“He probably thought he’d got away with his crimes but his victim has shown incredible bravery in coming forward and giving evidence so that justice can be served.

“Abuse ruins childhoods and its effects can last long into adulthood.

"We hope the victim in this case has received the support needed to help her move forward with her life.”