A Croydon man who preyed on the vulnerability of a teenage girl has been jailed.

Rique Wall, 32, of Kimberley Road forced his victim to carry a mobile phone with an earpiece and microphone attached so he could eavesdrop on her conversations.

He would also insist she speak to him for hours on end, dictated when she could leave her Sittingbourne home, and carried out a number of sexual offences against her.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Steve Rees said: "Wall targeted the young girl when she was exceptionally vulnerable and took advantage of her need for support.

"He then subjected her to a long period of emotional abuse and controlling behaviour, which included supplying her with mobile phones and equipment so he could control who she spoke to, and stopping her from leaving her home and seeing friends.

"I’d like to pay tribute to the victim for her courage in overcoming her abuser and helping to ensure he serves a long period behind bars, without her support Wall may have never seen trial.

"We have specially trained officers on hand ready to aid and support any victims of sexual abuse and controlling behaviour. If you are a victim, please get in touch."

At a hearing in on April 12 at Maidstone Crown Court, Wall was jailed after previously being found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of controlling or coercive behaviour.

A spokesman for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was disgusted by what Wall did.

“Wall is clearly a dangerous sexual predator who targeted a vulnerable girl and subjected her to sickening forms of physical and emotional abuse," he said.

“Despite her harrowing ordeal, she has displayed tremendous courage in speaking out and helping bring her abuser to justice.

“Child sexual abuse can have a devastating impact so we hope Wall’s victim is receiving the necessary support to help her overcome her ordeal.”