A man who gets his sexual kicks from wearing women’s clothes has been warned that one more court appearance will mean prison.

Paul Reed, 47, of Clement Close, Canterbury, has been convicted of sex offences against women.

He appeared at Canterbury Crown Court on committal from the city’s magistrates for breaching a sexual offences prevention order made by Judge Adele Williams in July.

Sparing Reed from prison, Judge Williams said: “You and I cannot go on meeting like this because the next time we do, I’m saying goodbye”.

Reed was picked up by police in central London carrying a ladies’ fur-lined jacket and scarf.

He’d earlier put the coat over the shoulders of a 17-year-old girl then took it back and walked away. He said he’d intended to visit a fetish club in Soho.

Enquiries revealed Reed was subject of a sexual offences prevention order banning him from possessing women’s clothing. He said it was almost impossible to prevent himself from breaching the order, said Denzil Pugh, prosecuting.

Catherine Sparks, for Reed, said he was currently attending a sex offender treatment programme which was going well and he found it liberating being with others who had similar problems and being able to talk in a group setting.

He intended to seek work. His relationship with his family was also improving and there was a lessening of the seriousness of the offences.

There was no direct touching but just carrying of women’s clothing and he had made progress in a short time, said Miss Sparks.

Sentencing Reed, Judge Williams said: “I could very easily send you to prison for about two years and if you come back in front of me, I will because I will have no option but to put protection of the public above any other consideration.

“You and I cannot go on meeting like this because the next time we do I’m saying goodbye.

“I am not going to send you to prison today because there are signs you are making progress. You simply cannot go on doing what you have been doing.”

Judge Williams amended the SOPO to only prohibit Reed from approaching any female not previously associated with him while posing as a female and while wearing any item of women’s clothing.

Other parts of the SOPO were deleted.

Reed must also do 80 hours unpaid community work. The three year community order made in July will continue.