A lorry driver convicted of sex offences against a young girl has been jailed for 10 years.

Tony Spiller, 58, of the High Street, Herne Bay, was convicted after a trial at Canterbury Crown Court in February of one offence of indecent assault, rape and sexual intercourse with a girl under 13.

Spiller, who had no criminal history returned to the court for sentencing on Tuesday when his lawyer, Catherine Donnolly, said his strongest mitigation was his previous good character.

She said a probation report had assessed Spiller at low to medium risk of re-offending. Spiller's conviction had a considerable impact on Spiller's wife who would now have to deal with the couple's financial problems. Their home was subject to repossession and she would have to meet the burden of financial debt.

When released Spiller would have to start again because there was a real inevitability of bankruptcy.

"He can lay some claim to reaching the age of 58 without coming to the attention of the courts," said Miss Donnelly.

Sentencing Spiller, Judge Timothy Nash said: "What may be your view of whether or not you committed these offences, the jury convicted you on three and I have to sentence you on that basis."

He said rape was the most serious, and the offences were aggravated by the circumstances in which they were committed. He said Spiller had abused a vulnerable and sensitive young girl.

He said it was no wonder the victim was traumatised by Spiller's conduct. "You are not contrite or penitent at all when I read the pre-sentence report. Well, you will have to live with that and come to terms with that and no doubt will need specialist help but I suspect you will be too proud and bullish to accept it."

Judge Nash said there had to be a substantial sentence given the aggravating features of the case.

He directed the 83 days Spiller has already served should count towards his sentence and Spiller will be on the sex offenders' register and subject to a sexual offences prevention order indefinitely.