A man has been convicted of multiple rapes and other sex offences spanning several years.

Kevin Lusted, of Spade Lane, Hartlip, pleaded not guilty for a catalogue of offences against a victim between 2016 and 2022 but was convicted on all counts by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday, March 15.

The 50-year-old was arrested in March last year and a police investigation uncovered evidence he had systemically raped and abused his victim from when they were a child.

He also subjected them to repeated threats including that they would be tied up and shot.

Lusted was charged with 11 counts of rape and seven other offences related to sexual abuse.

Following the guilty verdict, he is remanded in custody to be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on July 28.

Detective Constable Amy Neal, of the north Kent vulnerability investigation team, said: "Lusted targeted a vulnerable young person and repeatedly subjected them to sickening abuse for his own sexual gratification.

"He is a dangerous, calculating and callous sexual predator who has not shown any remorse for his appalling actions. The tremendous bravery the victim has shown throughout the trial has ensured that justice has now at least been served.

"Successful convictions such as this are just one of the reasons we continue to urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to contact the police.

"It is never too late to report any sexual offence, you will be supported by specially trained officers throughout the process, and we always treat any information with the utmost confidence and sensitivity."