The victim of an "unspeakably wicked" rape could only reveal what had happened to her... by writing on a brown envelope.

The woman - who broke down after a "minor row" with her boyfriend earlier this year - later handed the envelope to him.

It read: "I was raped when I was younger."

Former school caretaker and retained fireman Anthony Clout, of Oswald Road, Dover was jailed for 12 years after he admitted charges of rape, attempted rape and indecent assault.

Prosecutor Oliver Dunkin said: "After the row in March this year she moved out of the family home. She went to her grandparents' home and her grandfather brought her home and acted as an intermediary to find out what had been going on - and what had led to this row.

"The result was she broke down, went upstairs and was there for some little time in some distress.

"She then came down stairs with a brown envelope. She had written on it: "I was raped when I was younger".

"She said nothing, put the envelope down and was in a good deal of distress."
Mr Dunkin said "with a certain degree of skill" her boyfriend questioned her and she told what had happened to her.

Judge Andrew Patience told Clout: "These charges represent a campaign of unspeakably wicked abuse perpetrated by you against this woman.

"I am not convinced that you have complete insight into the scale of gravity of what you have done."

Clout had claimed he had been abused as a child but the judge told him: "Whether or not there is to be found in this horrific story some connection between what you may have suffered yourself and what you did can provide absolutely no justification or excuse for your behaviour.

"This woman, your victim, will have been damaged in such a way - although I wish her a happy life in the future - the damage will remain with her for good. I have no doubt.

"I have read her Victim Impact Statement which is a moving and eloquent document and one cannot imagine the sheer terror, the sheer perversion of what that child went through."

Clout was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.