A Medway rapist has been jailed for 16 years after being found guilty of brutal sex attacks.

Unemployed Jimmy Draper, 36, was found guilty in July following an 11 day trial at Lewes Crown Court, in East Sussex.

Draper, from Gillingham, was found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Draper's victim was 14-years-old and known to him at the time of the offences which took place between 2004 and 2005.

The abuse was reported to police in March 2012. Draper was arrested and charged in November 2012.

DC Carol Shoesmith from East Sussex CID said: "He was a controlling individual who had total disregard for the devastating effect his abuse had on his young victim, who had to live for years with the emotional and mental pain as she was too frightened to tell anyone.

"Her trauma was then added to by the fact that she was not spared from the experience of
having to give evidence at Draper's trial several years later.

"I hope his long prison sentence will go some way in helping her to get on with her life knowing that justice has been served."

On sentencing Draper, Judge Kemp said: "You violated her for your own sexual gratification ...... for these horrible brutal offences you have to pay the price."'

DC Shoesmith added: "I would like to appeal to any other victims of sexual abuse to please come forward and not suffer in silence."