A woman whose sex abuser has finally been brought to justice three decades later has told of her "disgust" for him - but says she refuses to be beaten.

Kenneth Mockford was convicted by a jury of three offences of indecency with a child and two of indecent assault involving her and nine of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child involving another victim.

Prosecutor Sarah Ellis said the woman had “instructed” that her moving victim impact statement directly addressing 73-year-old Mockford, known as Ray, of Church Road, Offham, should be read out in court.

After being jailed for 14 years, a judge described the two victims as “the bravest of the brave”.

The victims came forward after hearing Mockford, formerly of Kingfisher Road, Larkfield, had been jailed for six years in November 2013 for historic abuse of another girl.

KentOnline reported the sentence and it was drawn to the attention of the two women.

The jury of seven women and five men was also told that Mockford killed a man in 1987. He was accused of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

His son Dean Mockford, 50, of London Road, Ryarsh, walked free after jurors failed to reach verdicts on three rape charges involving the second woman.

He was cleared of two other rape charges by direction of Judge Philip Statman.

The prosecution decided not to seek a retrial after consulting the woman and being told she did not want to give evidence again.

“This is the position she has taken,” said Miss Ellis. “She appreciates the consequences.”

The judge formally entered not guilty verdicts.

"Those two women in their middle years are the bravest of the brave to have come forward in this manner and to come before this court to give evidence" - Judge Philip Statman

Both father and son denied all the allegations against them.

The court heard one of the women first complained in the 1980s to the police that the father and son had abused her.

They denied the allegations and it was not taken any further at that stage.

She told a friend about the abuse after watching Esther Rantzen talking about Childline.

Mockford would have been due for release in November, but his lawyer Christopher Wing said: “He will be very old when he comes out of prison.”

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

Judge Statman said when passing sentence that an act Mockford forced one of the victims to perform “plumbed the depths of depraved conduct”.

He abused the other victim at every possible opportunity that came his way to satisfy his sexual gratification and needs.

The case did not proceed when the original complaint was made, said the judge, because the police investigation then was very different to today.

“Some 36 years afterwards your crimes finally caught up with you,” said Judge Statman.

The victims had suffered serious psychological damage. They were deprived of their childhood years.

“It is clear now they have shown the utmost bravery in coming forward in the manner they have,” said the judge.

Sentence had to be passed according to the law at the time of the offences, when the maximum punishment was far less.

Mockford would not necessarily be released at the halfway point as the parole board would decide if it was safe to do so. There will be an extended licence period of three years.

Judge Statman added: “Those two women in their middle years are the bravest of the brave to have come forward in this manner and to come before this court to give evidence.”

After sentencing, Detective Sergeant Matt Jones said: "Mockford’s actions were vile, premeditated and over a prolonged period of time.

"He has continued to deny everything and also continued to show a callous disregard for his victims by forcing them to endure a trial.

"I would like to pay tribute to both victims for having the courage to come forward. They have displayed tremendous strength and determination throughout this investigation and trial and I’m pleased that after such a long time they have now been able to see justice served.

"I hope this case will serve as a reminder to all other victims that Kent Police takes all reports of historic sexual abuse seriously and that we will thoroughly investigate all allegations, no matter the length of time that has passed since the incident occurred."