A former care home worker has received a 12-year jail sentence after seducing a child in her care.

Helen May began the secret relationship at a Thanet home, not realising her victim was keeping a diary.

And even after it was found – penned in a simple code which revealed the abuse – the teenager was coerced into claiming it was fiction.

Now, many years later, May, 49 of Hopes Lane, Ramsgate has been jailed after a jury convicted her on seven indecent assault counts.

Canterbury Crown Court had heard how the young teenager developed a crush on May, and care home bosses warned the worker to be careful.

But prosecutor Samantha Cohen told how May encouraged the victim’s feelings, even though she was "clearly vulnerable".

She told how it began with a kiss but quickly developed into a full sexual relationship under the noses of her bosses.

Ms Cohen revealed that on one occasion May was found in the same room as her victim – but claimed the child had just arrived to watch television.

Later the victim’s secret diary was discovered and police were called in – but the child told officers that none of it was true and no charges were brought.

The jury heard that even after leaving her job the relationship continued for another couple of years.

But more than 15 years later, the victim confided to others and it was reported again to police who then charged May.

At her trial, she admitted having a relationship but claimed the sex only happened after the victim turned 16, but the jury rejected her account.

Defence barrister Tom Dunn told the judge: “She is not by nature a predatory sex offender and what happened was a unique occurrence.”

He added that those drawn to caring as a profession “by and large care deeply about others”.

Mr Dunn asked for a jail sentence which would offer May “light at the end of a long and very dark tunnel.”

But the judge, Recorder Catherine Brown, said cannabis-smoking May was flattered by the attention from the victim, who should have been protected.

She added that the worker had used drugs and alcohol to encourage the attention and had caused the victim psychological damage.

"She abused her position of trust and took advantage of a vulnerable teenager for her own sexual gratification" - NSPCC spokesman

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “May’s role as a care worker was to protect young children from harm.

“But instead she abused her position of trust and took advantage of a vulnerable teenager for her own sexual gratification.

“Speaking out about sexual abuse can be hard for victims, but as this case proves, by breaking the silence perpetrators like May can be brought to justice no matter how long ago the abuse took place.

“We hope the victim in this case has received all the help and support available to help her move forward with her life.”