A pervert who sexually abused a girl when she was just three-years-old has been jailed under an extended sentence.

Jean-Pierre Boisnier was sentenced to four years in prison and will be on licence for a further 18 months.

The 59-year-old Frenchman, of High Street, Ashford, admitted four charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that in France in 1991 Boisnier had been cautioned for exposing himself and in 1998 was convicted of a sexual assault on a female in a Jacuzzi.

Leroy Redhead, defending, said Boisnier’s wife was having an affair when the latest offences were revealed. They separated but were now getting back together.

“He is not a serial offender,” Mr Redhead told Judge Jeremy Carey. “I am sure you have had far worse cases.”

The judge said it needed little imagination to realise how traumatic the experience must have been for the victim.

“The offences are of a very grave kind,” he said. “The defendant is highly culpable. His attitude was of concern to an experienced probation officer.”

There was a risk of serious harm in future if his “depraved attitude” was not addressed. He had now recognised he needed assistance with his sexual deviation.

“He has behaved in a grievously serious way,” said Judge Carey. “The impact on a child who is abused cannot be underestimated.”

For the protection of the public, it was necessary to address his deep-seated depravity. There was worrying impulsive sexual behaviour.

The judge said he had imposed the sentence so that Boisnier, who has received treatment for prostate cancer, would receive extended sex offender help.

Boisnier was placed on the sex offenders’ register and banned from working with children.