by Ann Secluna

A man described as "manipulative, devious and predatory" has been locked up indefinitely for a catalogue of sexual abuse of young girls.

Simon German, 31, had denied three charges of rape, one of attempted rape, four of sexual assault, two of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one of causing a child to watch a sexual act and two of indecent assault.

He was found guilty of the 13 counts and cleared of one charge of sexual assault and of another by direction of the judge.

German, of Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne, collapsed in the dock last month as the verdicts were being returned.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC said German’s offending involved a gross breach of trust and was carried out over a sustained period. Aggravating features, he said, included his lack of remorse and his rejection of the verdicts.

He had been described in a pre-sentence report as "manipulative, devious and predatory" and had a history of domestic violence.

"In these circumstances it would be perverse of the court not to pass a public protection sentence," said the judge.

German, he said, would have to serve a minimum of nine years before the parole board would consider his release.

The judge said if he had imposed a determinate sentence, it would have been one of 18 years.