by Keith Hunt

A pervert who raped one girl and molested another has been jailed for 14 years.

Peter Butler got away with his terrible crimes for some time before he was exposed as a paedophile, said a judge.

The 43-year-old, of Chatham, denied 16 charges and was found guilty of 12.

He was convicted of five offences of rape, two of attempted rape, three of sexual assault and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was acquitted of one charge of rape and two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Catherine Donnelly, prosecuting, said the victim who was raped eventually told a friend what was happening and it was reported to her school welfare officer.

Because she found it difficult to reveal details, she drew a picture to describe the abuse.

"The story began to unravel over a long period of time,†Miss Donnelly told Maidstone Crown Court.

The abuse of the other girl was not so serious, said the prosecutor, "but nonetheless abuse".

When arrested, Butler denied all the allegations.

Judge Jeremy Gold QC said Butler had used the victims as sexual toys for his own gratification and took the innocence from one of them, subjecting her to indignities.

"You kept her quiet by telling her, correctly, she would not be believed by her mother," he told Butler.

"But that little girl was telling the truth. You have been exposed as the paedophile you are."

The judge said Butler had been hard working and served in the military. His name will appear on the sex offenders' register for life.