The terrified victim of a sex monster was so scared she slept in a wardrobe to escape him.

The child had been repeatedly raped at the hands of 32-year-old Samuel Gilbert - who initially escaped being charged because of insufficient evidence.

In another incident, he raped a young teenager who later gave birth to his child, Canterbury Crown Court heard.

Gilbert, of Grove Road, Chatham, was ordered to be locked up indefinitely to protect the public after he was found guilty of 12 sex offences against children.

A judge told him he might spend the rest of his life in prison, but will not be considered for parole for the next seven-and-a-half years.

Gilbert will remain on the sex offenders' register for life.

A friend of one of his victims said after the hearing: "He got what he deserved. We are pleased with the result."

Judge Adele Williams told how the girl reported the incident to her mother in 1996 but "sadly the decision was made that there would be no prosecution because of insufficient evidence".

Gilbert then sexually abused other victims in the years that followed – including attacking one youngster "involving repeated acts of rape".

He then made a girl pregnant, but denied paternity until it was proved by DNA evidence – shortly before his trial.

The judge said even then Gilbert claimed the pregnancy had followed one act of sex which the girl had initiated.

"I totally reject that assertion on the evidence I heard," she said. "That reflects your total lack of remorse and insight into your offending.

"You are utterly selfish and you have no thought for anyone save yourself. You have a perverted sexual interest in children."

Judge Williams added: "I have no hesitation in concluding that you pose a significant risk of causing serious harm to the public."

After reading impact statements, which she described as moving, she said the effects on the victims would be long-term and profound.

She added: "They were children and you robbed them of their innocence and you abused them for your own sexual gratification."