A PERSISTENT child molester who has caused years of misery for his four victims has been jailed for 12 years.

Judge Warwick McKinnon told Stephen Bail, as he imposed three years imprisonment for each victim: "The effect these acts have had upon the children in terms of psychological damage is incalculable."

Maidstone Crown Court heard how the 45-year-old computer expert, of Cheriton Road, Folkestone, committed the offences on two girls and two boys over a 13-year period.

The offences came to light when one of the girls told her mother what had been happening to her. The three others then also made complaints.

Andrew Espley, prosecuting, said a picture of systematic abuse was revealed.

One of the boys, who was abused by Bail when aged between eight and 13, told police: "I can barely find words to describe what I think of him. I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t think they would believe me."

He said he had taken drugs and drunk too much, but was slowly turning his life around.

One of the girls, who was abused between the ages of six and 12, was to tell how at first it was always the same ritual of touching her chest. When she was 11 he touched her more intimately and got her to touch him.

She said: "I was too scared to tell anyone what was going on. He touched me hundreds of times."

The second boy was just four when Bail started abusing him. It continued until he was 14.

Mr Espley said Bail abused the second girl when she was between the ages of nine and 11. He would also show her intimate pictures of himself.

When arrested in December last year, Bail denied any inappropriate behaviour with the boys. But he finally admitted seven charges of indecent assault on one boy and five on the other. He also admitted seven of indecent assault on one girl and five on the other.

Louise Darcy, defending, said Bail agreed that his behaviour had been appalling and he now had a feeling of revulsion and horror.

Judge McKinnon said that Bail had admitted a catalogue of offences involving routine and systematic abuse. Bail was banned from working with children and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.