A TOTTENHAM man who repeatedly raped a vulnerable 11-year-old schoolgirl has been jailed for seven years.

Colin Miller, 29, sexually abused the girl several times between March and September 2005. He had previously served five years in jail for his part in a 1997 gang-rape in Wood Green.

A jury at Wood Green Crown Court heard Miller, of no fixed address, would wake the teenager up in the middle of the night at a house in Tottenham where she used to stay before attending church the following day.

The assaults were revealed in a tell-all letter from the girl to her mum, which read: “I woke up and he told me to kiss him. I thought it was strange but I took it as a good night kiss. It was no good night kiss. I felt his tongue on my lips so I backed away.

“He took off my knickers and when I asked him what he was doing he just said shush. And then he opened my legs and had sex with me. And that’s how it happened every time until it stopped.”

The girl did not speak about the rape until 2007, after her mother sent her to live in Jamaica with her father and aunts where said she felt “safe”.

But despite settling into her new life, the girl had started to self-harm and often appeared unhappy, prompting an aunt to ask if something was wrong which is when she confessed about her abuser.

Her mother ordered her to return to the UK in February last year and fearing for her safety, she told a Gatwick Airport staff member about the abuse, who referred her to the police where she made an official statement.

Police investigating the rape claims launched a hunt for Miller, who had fled, and issued appeals for information through the Haringey Independent and BBC's Crimewatch, labelling him a dangerous fugitive.

He was eventually traced and arrested in July last year, when he was charged with five counts of rape.

The judge gave Miller an indeterminate sentence, meaning he will have to apply to a parole board for release after seven years.

Following sentencing, Detective Inspector Noel McHugh, who led the investigation and ensuing manhunt, said: "Miller's conviction demonstrates our total commitment to all allegations of serious sexual assault no matter how long ago the offence was committed.

"A successful conviction was achieved through the courage and bravery of the young victim and an exceptional investigation carried out by officers from Haringey Child Abuse Investigation Team.

"I would also like to thank the media and the public for their support and assistance in capturing Miller.

"I hope Miller's conviction can go some way in assisting the victim in moving forward with her life."

Miller also admitted failing to comply with the Sex Offenders Register on 5 February 2009.