A pervert who sexually abused a young girl in offences dating back to 2000 has been jailed for 12 years.

Ian Baker, of Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, was convicted of one offence of oral rape, three of indecent assault, three of indecency with a child and one of sexual assault of a child under 13.

The 46-year-old denied the charges, but was convicted by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.

Baker started abusing the victim when she was aged about seven. It started with kissing and progressed to indecent touching and oral rape.

Passing sentence, Judge Philip St John-Stevens said the victim had great shame and embarrassment at having to give evidence.

"She is still struggling with the effects of the abuse at your hands," he said. "You have lost your good character. No mitigation can be derived from remorse. The fact of the matter is you have no credit available in terms of a guilty plea."

The judge said he had decided Baker was not a danger under the relevant Act and a determinate sentence was appropriate.

The rape offence was the most serious and the least sentence that could be passed for it was 12 years.

Baker was given concurrent sentences, ranging from six months to three years for the remaining offences.

His name will appear on the sex offenders' register for life and he will be barred from working with children.