A Medway street-cleaner, who kidnapped and raped a 16-year-old girl, has been branded dangerous, and locked away for public protection.

Jamie Elmer, 30, was said to still be denying the offences for which he was tried and convicted at Canterbury Crown Court in February.

Judge Timothy Nash said that until Elmer acknowledged his shortcomings, there was very little hope of change.

He said: “This was quite appalling. You are a mature man and people speak highly of you, but what alarms me is that there is another side to you.

“I’m quite satisfied, on what I saw and heard during the trial, that you are dangerous and there is a significant risk of you committing further serious sexual offences.”

He said there were an abundance of aggravating features: “You kidnapped this 16-year-old, who was minding her own business. Having kidnapped her, you detained her for some considerable time while you indulged in your idea of sexual behaviour.”

Judge Nash said it was planned, he had frightened her and she had fled to Ramsgate in a confused, shocked and injured state.

“I regard you as dangerous; anybody else knowing the circumstances of this case would be driven to that conclusion too.”

Elmer, of Imperial Road, Gillingham, was convicted of kidnap, rape, false imprisonment, attempted rape and assault by penetration in June last year, and admitted an earlier offence of harassment involving a 17-year-old girl. He will serve a minimum of six-and-a-half years before being considered for parole/ less 336 days spent on remand.

But Elmer will not be released until the Parole Board considers he no longer presents a serious risk of harm to the public from further offences.

The court heard Elmer had dragged the 16-year-old into his car as she spoke to him, thinking he was asking for directions. He took her to his home where he attacked her, telling her to meet him the next day or he would hunt her down.