A disgraced police officer who was locked up for raping and stalking a woman has had his jail term cut by top judges.

Clive Garton, from Sittingbourne, was jailed for 13 years at Lewes Crown Court in June.

Branded a "dangerous" offender, he was also ordered to serve an extra three years on licence after his release.

The 56-year-old was convicted of rape, perverting the course of justice and stalking.

He got nine years for the rape and four years consecutive for stalking, with no separate penalty for perverting the course of justice.

Garton straddled his victim and tried to cuddle and kiss her, Mrs Justice McGowan told London's Appeal Court today.

Despite her repeated pleas for him to stop and her attempts to get away, he continued and went on to rape her.

Garton, who was dismissed from the force last month, had been a long-serving and well-regarded police officer, said the appeal judge.

He had been commended for his work, which included saving the life of another.

Today his lawyers argued that his jail term was far too tough and that he was not dangerous.

It was a "single, isolated incident", they said, and there was "nothing in this case to suggest there is any significant risk".

He was a man of "absolutely impeccable previous character" and, as a former police officer, jail would be "more onerous" for him.

Mrs Justice McGowan said there was "no flaw" in the crown court judge's reasons for the nine-year jail term for the rape or the extended licence period.

But there was a "degree of force" in the submission that the overall 13-year jail term was "manifestly excessive", she said.

The judge, who was sitting with two others, allowed the appeal and made the four years for stalking concurrent to the rape sentence.

This leaves Garton with a nine-year jail term and three-year extended licence period.