by Keith Hunt

A convicted sex offender who molested two young girls has been locked up under an extended sentence.

Martyn Hodges was jailed for five years with an extended licence period of two years after a judge heard about his past record.

The 54-year-old father, of Greatness Lane, Sevenoaks, admitted eight sexual assault charges.

Maidstone Crown Court was told Hodges touched the girls, aged 11 and six, on different occasions over their clothes several times.

Hodges, who suffers from a coronary disease, told one of the victims he would have a heart attack if she revealed what he had done to her.

John O'Higgins, prosecuting, said Hodges had previous convictions for sex offences with children dating back to 1971 for indecent assault when he was aged 16.

There were two more indecent assault convictions in 1973 and 1975. In 1979, he was jailed for 18 months for indecent assault and in 1981 he was sentenced to two years for indecent assault, actual bodily harm and indecent exposure.

Mr O'Higgins said Hodges' last conviction was in 1989 when he was jailed for four years for indecent assault.

Judge Philip Statman told Hodges: "What was happening here is you were engaged in grooming these two young girls for your own purpose of sexual gratification. You sexually assaulted them at a time when they were particularly vulnerable."

The judge said it was clear Hodges had an unhappy young life and was "kicked from pillar to post". There was mirrored conduct and behaviour in the offences.

"That is a very long time ago," he said. "You are now well into adulthood and adults, like children, have the capacity to choose.

"What makes this so serious is the level and persistency of your criminal activity. I am satisfied this is a case that calls for a sentence in excess of four years imprisonment."

Judge Statman said he had considered an indefinite term for public protection but decided it would be draconian.

Hodges will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order, banned from working with children and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.