A pervert who raped a young girl and committed other sexual abuse with her more than 30 years ago has been jailed for 15 years.

Edward Watson, formerly of Kippington Road, Sevenoaks, was told by a judge the offending was "utterly wicked".

Maidstone Crown Court heard Watson, now 68, was working at the College of Insurance in Sevenoaks when he committed the offences.

Prosecutor Danny Moore said Watson was play fighting with the girl when he first raped her. When she asked what he was doing, he replied: “Don’t worry, it will get easier next time.”

“She was confused and in pain,” said Mr Moore.

The victim was compliant when further abuse took place because she felt she had no choice. On one occasion she was so compliant she took her own clothes off.

Watson did not use a condom and often smelt of alcohol.

"There is no real remorse.... For this utterly wicked and prolonged offending, the starting point is 20 years..." - Judge Charles MacDonald QC

The girl threatened to tell Watson’s wife but he replied that no one would believe her.

She finally reported the matter to the police in September 2014.

Watson flatly denied any sexual contact with the girl saying it was “a total lie”, “laughable” and “so untrue”.

But when police made DNA links he claimed there was an occasion when the victim told him she wanted to have sex with him and he could not resist.

He insisted the remainder of the allegations were fabrications.

But Watson, now of Leeds, last month admitted six offences of rape and four of indecent assault.

The victim said in a statement that Watson took her childhood from her. She had since struggled with relationships and depression. She added it would be with her forever.

Sophie Shotton, defending, said the most significant mitigation was Watson’s guilty pleas so that the victim had not been forced to give evidence in court.

Watson had a mental breakdown after his wife died in 2002. He went to live in Spain but was arrested when he returned last year for his sister’s wedding.

He moved back to the UK. His partner of four years described him giving her good support and stood by him. He needed operations to replace both knees.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC said he had no doubt the victim had suffered permanent psychological harm.

“I find in mitigation good character but nothing else of note,” he said. “There is no real remorse. The pre-sentence report shows minimising and blaming the complainant.

“For this utterly wicked and prolonged offending, the starting point is 20 years.”

After discount for guilty pleas, the sentence was 15 years.

Watson was placed on the sex offenders’ register and a sexual harm prevention order was made, both indefinitely.