A 51-year-old child rapist who told his victim everyone would hate her if she told anyone, has been jailed for more than seven years.

Andrew Bond, formerly of Silver Close, Tonbridge handed himself in to police last year after the victim told her mother of his crimes.

Bond abused the girl, who was under 16 years old, over a four-year period. He used locations including a park and the inside of his car to carry out the acts.

Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court, Bond was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison.

He had previously pleaded guilty to a count of rape, one count of sexual assault of a child aged under 13 and four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 16.

In an effort to prevent his victim from revealing what he had done Bond told her she would get the blame and that “everyone would hate her”.

However, in September 2013 she told her mother what had been happening.

Bond was challenged by the victim’s mother about his behaviour and handed himself in at Tonbridge police station in October last year.

During interview he denied some of the allegations put to him and claimed that poor health, including strokes, had left him unable to remember details of his crimes.

He said he knew what he was doing was wrong but didn’t know why he was unable to stop.

Detective constable Brian Elsdon, who led the investigation, said: “Bond tried to scare his victim into thinking that she would be the one to suffer if his crimes were ever exposed.

“However, it is thanks to the courage of this child that he will now spend a lengthy time in prison, where he will have time to reflect on the incredible amount of damage that he has caused.

"This case shows that the police will always listen and investigate and that no one should suffer in silence. I would urge anyone who may be suffering abuse or who has been a victim of crime in the past to come forward now and speak to us.”

Bond will be subject to a sex offender prevention order, and his name will appear on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.