A convicted rapist who went on to groom and molest a teenage girl has been locked up for public protection.

Gavin Hurrell was jailed for seven years in July 2002 after he pushed a woman into some bushes and raped her.

The 37-year-old painter and decorator was released in 2006 and later breached the terms of notification requirements for the sex offenders’ register.

Despite having sex offender treatment, he stayed out of trouble for some time, but last year he was in contact with the girl, sending her messages and asking her to watch pornography.

Prosecutor Mark Halsey said Hurrell met up with the victim in the Maidstone area when it was dark. He went into the bushes to relieve himself and then called her over.

He kissed her using his tongue and put his hands on her bottom and squeezed. As she started to walk away he grabbed her hand and put it down his tracksuit bottoms.

Afterwards, he continued to contact her with more explicit messages, suggesting what they could do sexually together.

Hurrell wanted to meet the girl again for further sexual contact, Mr Halsey told Maidstone Crown Court.

“He asked for details of her fantasies,” he continued. “He says about knee-high boots and leather. He says he is horny. He talks about him being naked.

“He tells her to bunk off school to see him. He wants to get naked with her in bed. He knew the age of the child. He was the one leading the conversation.

“The child was vulnerable and he took advantage of her.”

When arrested, Hurrell said he was depressed and had been drinking.

“He used that as some kind of excuse,” said Mr Halsey. “The Crown say it is not an excuse for what he did. He tried to minimise what happened.”

"Your grooming was sustained and persistent. You encouraged your victim to view pornography" - Judge David Griffith-Jones QC, to Hurrell

A probation report spoke of an emerging pattern of sexual behaviour and an escalation of offending. The offence was said to be “predatory in nature”.

The rape in 2001 involved Hurrell approaching a woman waiting for a taxi in Hastings in the early hours. He asked her for a kiss and tried to insert his tongue into her mouth.

He pushed her into the bushes and raped her. He denied the offence but was convicted after a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

Hurrell, of Lerowe Road, Cambridgeshire, admitted meeting a child following sexual grooming and sexual activity with a child.

Under an extended sentence, he was jailed for three years and will be on licence for a further four years. He will serve two years of the prison term before he will be considered for release.

His name will appear on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and he will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

David Hewitt, defending, said Hurrell had been at a low ebb when he committed the latest offences.

He was a violence reduction representative in prison, helping to resolve conflict and mediate with other inmates.

“He wants to contribute to society,” said Mr Hewitt. “He wants to address the issues he acknowledges he has.”

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC told Hurrell: “Your grooming was sustained and persistent. You encouraged your victim to view pornography.

“She was vulnerable. Penetrative sexual activity was clearly intended by you. It involved a significant degree of planning.

“A course failed to prevent you from going on to commit these two further serious sexual offences. A report says you present as someone who lacks insight into the true implications of your behaviour.

“In particular, you remain inclined to minimise your culpability.”