A pervert who raped a young girl several years ago has been jailed for 11 years.

The teenager was "numb and frozen to the spot" when Darren Ellis attacked her in West Kingsdown where he was then living, a jury was told.

She did not tell anybody at the time and did not report what happened to the police until May 2015.

Prosecutor Catherine Donnelly said the victim could tell Ellis was drunk when he told her: “Let’s have some fun...I really fancy...you’ve got to be quiet though.”

She froze as he exposed himself, kissed her and then raped her.

“She said she was in complete shock for quite some time, trying to contemplate whether it had actually happened,” Miss Donnelly told Maidstone Crown Court.

“She said she didn’t really understand what had happened and it didn’t feel real to her. She said she was so scared by what was happening that she said nothing to him at all.

“She was frightened to tell him to stop in case he became violent towards her.

“She was frightened to tell him to stop in case he became violent towards her..." - Prosecutor Catherine Donnelly

"She didn’t want to tell people what happened as she felt ashamed and dirty. She decided to keep what happened to herself.”

She did not tell her mother until 2015. She had, however, told a friend several years ago. In 2015, she went for counselling in Dartford and revealed she had been raped when younger.

Ellis, of Ash Road, Ash, near Sevenoaks, denied rape but was convicted.

He also denied indecent assault and was acquitted of that charge.

The 49-year-old admitted being “flirtatious” but claimed he could not remember any incidents, as made in the allegations. He denied having sex with her.

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

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Ellis callously preyed on a child before forcing her to relive her horrific ordeal years later in court.

"But his victim’s tremendous bravery in speaking out has finally helped put him behind bars where he cannot hurt others.

“It’s vital that survivors of rape and child sexual abuse know that it is never their fault and that they will be supported when they speak out, no matter how much time has passed since the crime took place.”

Survivors of non-recent abuse can contact the NSPCC Helpline anytime on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk