A vicious sex beast who raped two women, subjecting them to degrading acts, has been jailed for 22 years.

Russell Mellford, formerly of Medway, was given an extended sentence for public protection after a judge found he was a danger.

It means the 50-year-old, of Malthouse Close, Lenham, will not be considered for release until he has served two thirds - more than 14 years - of the term and he will be on licence for a further three years at the end of the 22 years.

Nicholas Lines, who Mellford involved in his sordid and depraved acts, was jailed for 14 years.

Mellford was convicted of nine offences of rape and three of indecent assault, in Medway and Gravesend.

Lines, 50, of Old Road East, Gravesend, was convicted of one offence of rape and one of indecent assault.

They both pleaded not guilty.

Describing Mellford as a “monster” and serial rapist, a judge said of the victims: “It must have been like a living hell for both of them.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard his offences dated back several years and involved up to 50 rapes of one of the women.

Judge Martin Joy said Mellford was frequently violent in order to get his way, leaving her in need of hospital treatment. She lived in fear of the violence.

He also raped her while she was made to perform a sex act on Lines.

“It is clear her self-esteem fell to zero,” said the judge.

The second woman had the “misfortune” to meet Mellford, he said, and regretted it soon afterwards.

“it is clear she was being raped from the outset,” said Judge Joy. “You were violent to her.”

She also needed hospital treatment because of his violence and sexual perversions.

While being raped, she was made to have sex with a close female friend.

Both he and Lines raped her on the same occasion. He then persuaded Lines to lie about it.

"It was a horrible rape. She was drunk or drugged. You both raped her at the same time" - Judge Martin Joy

Without that deception, said the judge, the trial would have taken place many years ago.

He told Mellford: “The sentence must be more severe to reflect the monstrous nature of bringing in another man (for the rape of one of the women).

“I have had to have regard to the extreme nature of the psychological harm you have caused.”

Judge Joy told Lines: “It was a horrible rape. She was drunk or drugged. You both raped her at the same time. You have kept out of trouble for many years and led a respectable life.”

The names of both men will appear on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.”