A former taxi driver has been sent to prison after sexually assaulting a child.

Graham Kemp, 71, attacked his victim more than a decade ago, Canterbury Crown Court has heard.

The pensioner, from Gosselin Street, Whitstable, also admitted two more sexual offences against another child.

Allegations of possessing illegal images allegedly found on his computer and cannabis in a Jack Daniels and Riveta tins – which he denied – were ordered to lie on the file.

Prosecutor Vivian Walters said the Crown Prosecution Service had decided it was not in the public interest to seek trials on the two indictments “in light of the other convictions”.

Kemp’s wife was so outraged after the allegations became known she walked out of their marriage, said defence barrister John Barker.

Judge Heather Norton heard how the offences took place some time ago when Kemp enticed one youngster by offering her to show her his pet ferrets.

Ms Walters told how he had assaulted another child after conversations about “French” kissing and then he performed a sex act on himself in the victim’s presence.

“Kemp is a devious sexual predator who took advantage of two young vulnerable children for his own sexual gratification...." - NSPCC

Kemp, who last held a taxi licence in 2009, was arrested in 2016 and made “partial” admissions, claiming the “French” kissing was “just skylarking around”.

But at his trial in April this year , he retracted the confession, and was acquitted on some of the charges but convicted of carrying out a sex attack.

Kemp was jailed for a total of five-and-a-half years for the three sex offences involving two “vulnerable” young children.

Judge Heather Norton said the offences had taken place a considerable time ago, adding: "As it has often been said in other courts, that simply means that you have just been able to get away with it for a long period of time.

“And during that time both your victims have had to live with the consequences. At your trial you either minimised or retracted your earlier confessions.”

The judge added that because of the dates of the offences, Kemp had to be sentenced under old regulations which then carried a maximum of just five years in prison.

Kemp was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order which will restrict his future access to children and use of computers.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Kemp is a devious sexual predator who took advantage of two young vulnerable children for his own sexual gratification.

“Whilst it is right that Kemp is behind bars for his wrongdoing, it is just as important that he undergoes rehabilitation to reduce the risk he poses to children and young people upon his release.

"If an adult suspects a child is being sexually abused they can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children can speak to trained counsellors, in confidence, by calling Childline on 0800 1111."