A YOUNG thug who raped a mother as she lay in bed with her young son and then brutally beat her up has been locked up indefinitely.

Under the sentence for public protection, Gary Ryder will serve almost six years before the parole board will consider whether it is safe for him to be released.

Branding it a "vicious and frightening attack", a judge told the 20-year-old that if a determinate sentence had been passed, it would have been 11 years and 10 months.

A moving impact statement from victim Rebecca Gray, in which she detailed the trauma she and her three-year-son suffered, had earlier been read out.

Judge Jeremy Carey said it was graphic evidence of the long-term effect on the 22-year-old mother and her child.

Miss Gray, who has waived her right to anonymity, was beaten so badly that she suffered a fractured jaw and eye socket and was covered in blood.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Ryder was aged 19 and a neighbour of Miss Gray’s in Botany Close, Sheerness, when he broke into her home.

He had been out with his girlfriend but in the early hours of August 3 last year told her he was going out to get some air.

The victim said had gone to bed wearing a nightshirt. Her son was by her side and her 18-month-old daughter was in a nearby room.

At about 2am, she was aware of an intruder.

"He was getting into bed behind me," she said. "He started touching me. It scared me. I asked him how he got into my house. He said he let himself in."

Ryder then carried out the sex attack.

The victim added: "My son started crying and said: ‘Get off my mummy.’ He was telling my son to shut up. I was crying and trying to get him off me."

Miss Gray said she managed to push Ryder and he fell onto the floor. He started to dress, but then battered her face with one of his trainers. She managed to scratch him.

After he left, Miss Gray ran to a neighbour’s home for help. She was taken to hospital for specialist treatment and now has a plate in her jaw.

Ryder denied rape and causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but was convicted. He admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

He was placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

After the case Det Insp Kris Hill, of Mid Kent Police, said: “This sentence finally brings justice to the young woman who endured a traumatic ordeal at the hands of Gary Ryder. I applaud her for her courage and co-operation in this investigation.

"Officers were able to arrest Ryder within minutes of committing this offence and the sentence given to him reflects the severity of his crime and serves to protect the community from him.”