Sex fantasist Gary Hoyles has been given an extended 22-year jail sentence today for a "campaign of rape" against a child.

The 50-year-old was told he is dangerous and poses a threat to children in the future.

He was given an immediate 18-year sentence and told he will have to serve two-thirds before he can even apply for parole.

And if and when he is released he will serve an extra four years on licence.

Judge Adele Williams told Hoyles, of The Street, Willesborough he had "perverted and distorted" views and had shown no remorse of insight into his crimes.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he had committed the offences between 2011 and 2017.

Hoyles had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and a further five counts of sexual activity with a child.

In total he has admitted four counts of rape, four counts of raping a child, four counts of sexual activity with a child, one charge of sexual assault on a child and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Prosecutor Chris May told police discovered letters drafted by the twisted fantasist, which read: "It will kill me to lose you. I want to run away with you so we can be truly together in love.

"You are the only true love I have ever had. I love you, love was made for you.

"It took an incredible amount of courage for the victim to not only report this matter to us but face him again in court" - Mandy Poulter

"Love is not about sex, that is just expressing love.

"Don't let prison win please wait for me."

Mr May added: "He clearly has a deluded view of relationships."

Detective sergeant Mandy Poulter, of Kent Police, said: "Hoyles is a cruel and depraved offender who subjected a young girl to horrendous sexual abuse.

"It took an incredible amount of courage for the victim to not only report this matter to us but face him again in court.

"While nothing can undo the harm caused to her, I hope she can take some comfort from the fact her bravery has resulted in an extremely dangerous and perverse offender being jailed for a substantial amount of time.

"I also hope that victims of non-recent sexual abuse, who may feel anxious about reporting being offences committed against them, can look at this result and gain confidence about contacting us for support."

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford