Child rapist jailed for 50-year-old offences

A child rapist has been jailed for a series of offences committed almost 50 years ago.

Alan Vinten, 78, of Otterham Quay Lane, Rainham, Kent, repeatedly abused his victim during the 1970s when she was just nine years old, Kent Police said.

The abuse took place over the course of a year and was first reported to Kent Police in November 2021.

Vinten was found guilty at trial of eight charges, including indecent assaults and unlawful intercourse with a child.

He was sentenced to 17 years in prison at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday.

Det Con Laura Bowness, from Kent Police, said: 'Vinten is a predatory paedophile who subjected his young and vulnerable victim to the most appalling and terrifying campaign of abuse.

"The victim felt she had nowhere to turn and only in recent years has been able to thankfully summon the strength and courage to give evidence."

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