A WEALTHY businessman, caged for raping a teenager 40 years ago, has failed to convince top judges his trial was unfair.

Leonard Wilson was handed a sentence totalling 15 years at Teesside Crown Court in March last year after being convicted of two charges of raping the youngster.

London’s Appeal Court heard Wilson's attacks took a devastating toll on his young victim and effectively "robbed her of her childhood."

The 70-year-old, from Tamebridge, Stokesley, today, March 23, challenged the "safety" of his convictions, claiming the jury may have been confused by the trial judge's legal directions.

Wilson has always insisted that he had consensual sex with the girl, and that she was over the age of 16.

But prosecutors maintained she was several years younger and when contacted by police over the rape claims three years ago, he responded: "It's nothing to do with this Jimmy Savile stuff is it?"

Wilson's legal team claimed the judge misdirected the jury on the key issue of whether he had been "reckless" about the girl's consent.

But Lord Justice Pitchford said: "We do not accept that they could have been confused once they had received the trial judge's further directions.

He told the court: “We do not doubt the safety of these convictions” and rejected Wilson's challenge.

His victim suffered "immense personal consequences" because of her ordeal. She turned to drink to help cope with her past, but found the courage to go to the police three years ago.