A WOMAN told a jury at Maidstone Crown Court that she was raped by her babysitter more than 30 years ago.

She alleged her ordeal at the hands of Anthony Hawkins left her in “absolute agony” but the then teenager’s response was just to say it was normal.

Hawkins, now 56, is said to have looked after the girl when she was about five.

The court heard that Hawkins lived in Alexandra Road, Gravesend, with his family. The court heard that when he babysat for the girl at her home, her parents would put her to bed before they went out.

But she told a jury he would wake her to take her downstairs and rape her. The woman said she could remember trying to tell her parents what had happened but said they thought she was having a bad dream.

Prosecutor Peter Gower told the jury that the alleged abuse was not reported to the police until September 2003.

A second woman also accused Hawkins of molesting her when she was about the same age.

Hawkins, now of Thornton Road, Morecombe in Lancashire, was arrested in May, last year, and denied any wrong-doing.

He denies two charges of rape, attempted rape and indecent assault. The offences are alleged to have been committed between 1964 and 1970.

The trial continues.