A paedophile who repeatedly raped one girl while plying her with drugs and sexually abused others has been locked up indefinitely.

Kevin White will have to serve at least nine years before the parole board considers whether it is safe to release him.

The 48-year-old sat in the dock with his arms crossed Judge Philip Statman told him: "You showed your victims absolutely no mercy. In this courtroom you have shown absolutely no contrition whatsoever."

White, of Quarry Road, Tovil, Maidstone, denied 26 charges dating back to 2001.

He was convicted of eight offences of rape, one of attempted rape, 11 of indecent assault, two of sexual assault, one of sexual activity with a child and one of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was acquitted of two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Deborah Charles, prosecuting, said White subjected the main victim to a campaign of rape, while others escaped with less serious abuse.

"He exploited every opportunity he could to abuse these children for his sexual gratification," she told Maidstone Crown Court.

Miss Charles said that he supplied the rape victim with cannabis, making her have sex with him in return for drugs.

Other allegations involved four more girls and a young boy.

If a determinate sentence had been passed, it would have been one of 18 years, said the judge.

Almost a year in custody on remand will count towards the sentence. White was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and banned from working with children.

In October 1979, White was jailed for three years for raping one girl and having unlawful sex with another. He also had drug convictions.