The vile sexual abuse of a young girl by a brutal pervert almost left a judge speechless.

Recorder Dafydd Enoch QC told Jamie Taylor: “It is difficult to find words to describe your behaviour.

"It is difficult to rationalise and find words to describe what she went through.”

Taylor, of Postley Road, Maidstone, was jailed for 18 years after he was convicted by a jury.

Prosecutor James Lofthouse said Taylor abused the victim in a number of ways, including rape and other sex acts, several years ago.

He put her in fear to stop her revealing what happened. But while watching a TV programme about sexual abuse she became upset and told her mother: “It happened to me.”

“The detail started to come out,” Mr Lofthouse told Maidstone Crown Court.

“The police became involved, but it was felt there was insufficient evidence to proceed. She was not asked about the allegations at that stage.”

It was not until 2013 that she complained again and Taylor, 48, was arrested. He denied any sexual misconduct.

He pleaded not guilty to two offences of rape, two of indecency with a child, three of indecent assault, indecency with a child and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual behaviour.

Following convictions Ian Henderson, defending, said: “There is no positive mitigation I can put forward.”

Recorder Enoch said Taylor had abused the victim “in the most vile way” in an atmosphere of intimidation.

As a result she suffered immense trauma, becoming introverted and unable to socialise.

"You groomed her effectively. You used threats to do violence to her" - Recorder Dafydd Enoch

“It was almost certainly because of the fear that matters didn’t come to light more quickly,” said the judge. “She tried to complain and was not taken seriously.

“I consider there to be no mitigation in this case. There was a degree of planning. You held your hand over her mouth to stop her screaming while raping her.

“You groomed her effectively. You used threats to do violence to her. There are a number of aggravating features.”

Taylor was sentenced to 18 years for rape and given concurrent sentences for the remaining offences.

His name will appear on the sex offenders’ register for life.

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