A wheelchair-bound pervert who raped and sexually abused a young girl has been jailed for 13 years.

A judge told Andrew Patterson he posed a danger to children and an extended sentence was needed.

The 37-year-old, who suffers from a degenerative spinal condition, was sentenced to a total of 18 years - 13 years behind bars with five years on extended licence.

Patterson must therefore serve at least two-thirds of the jail term before being considered for parole. Under usual sentences prisoners are automatically released halfway through.

Once he is released he will also have a further five years added to his licence period.

Patterson sat in his wheelchair in the dock at Maidstone Crown Court in Kent today as Judge Adele Williams told him: "I have no doubt you pose a significant risk of causing serious harm to children by the commission of further offences and it is therefore necessary to impose an extended sentence of imprisonment."

Patterson, of Trevale Road, Rochester, had admitted three charges of rape and two of sexual assault at a previous hearing.

He also admitted an offence of making indecent photos of children and one of distributing indecent photos of a child between March 5 and March 27.

The court heard the images depicted abuse of all levels of seriousness as categorised by police.

Sentencing was adjourned until today for a report into the issue of dangerousness.

Patterson was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and told to sign on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

He will also be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.