A PAEDOPHILE who sexually abused a girl over a long period has been jailed for 11 years.

Malcolm Stringer was told by a judge that he groomed his victim to believe that what was happening was "their little secret".

Stringer, of Harold Road, Cliftonville, Margate, also made emotional threats that he would be sent to prison if she reported him and he would then kill himself.

The frail 63-year-old was helped from the dock after Judge Philip Statman told him that he would not be considered for release until he had served at least half of the sentence.

Stringer was living in Edmunds Way, Gillingham, in 1983 when he started molesting the victim, then aged five.

Fiona Moore-Graham, prosecuting at Maidstone Crown Court, said the abuse was systematic and lasted for nine years. When she was about 12 she told a friend what was happening. The victim was aged 13 or 14 when she told him to "get off".

He then sobbed: "Please forgive me for what I have done. I didn’t know what I was doing. Please forget that it ever happened."

Miss Moore-Graham said Stringer was not located and arrested until September last year.

Stringer admitted two charges of rape, seven of indecent assault and one involving another serious sexual offence.

Edward Henry, defending, said Stringer was now "ill, burnt out, decrepit...use whatever word you like".

It was a matter of profound regret and remorse that he had caused his victim so much suffering.

Mr Henry said because of various ailments Stringer suffered from he did not know how much time he had left.

Stringer’s victim watched from the public gallery as Judge Statman passed sentence. He said the acts of indecency were frequent and escalated to rape when the girl was aged 10.

It was only when she had children herself that she had the courage to report the matter to the authorities.

"You must have thought by then that you had escaped justice," Judge Statman told Stringer. "But your crimes have finally caught up with you. I am told you are remorseful. In my judgement, you have little insight into what you have done."

Stringer will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.