A judge compared the custody release of a pensioner who confessed to having a sexual attraction to young girls to freeing a tiger that admits a liking for devouring people.

The "deliberately provocative" analogy was made as it was argued by 79-year-old Isaac Hammond's lawyer that he had been "honest, open and frank" about his deviant predilections and could be handed a suspended sentence.

But Judge Mark Weekes told the hearing at Canterbury Crown Court that, having molested three girls in Folkestone on three separate occasions, the sex offender currently posed "too high a risk" following such "disturbing" behaviour.

Expressing his fears in response to assertions that Hammond did not warrant more time behind bars, having been in custody since his arrest, he remarked: "Sorry for putting it in such stark terms but I think if tigers were able to speak and say 'Yes, I'm attracted to eating human beings', you wouldn't release a tiger.

"I'm speaking deliberately in provocative terms because I think it is worth assessing the situation if he was released on a suspended sentence.

"If I do that and in two days' time he reoffends, I'm not sure what the protective factors are."

The court heard Hammond, who lives in Folkestone, had openly told police after his arrest that he was attracted to underage girls and had targeted his victims because of their clothing, which included school uniform.

One was travelling on a bus from the town on June 1 this year when the pervert touched her bottom.

The following day, he was seen watching two youngsters walking in Road of Remembrance.

He then approached them and, putting his hand on the leg of one, asked lewdly: "Do you girls want to make £100 with me?" said prosecutor Kiera Vinall at Tuesday's hearing.

But when he was pushed away and told the police would be called, he simply laughed, she added.

It was then discovered that he had also molested a teenage girl in Harbour Street on March 21.

The girl was walking in an alleyway with a friend when Hammond put his hand up her skirt, touching her inner thigh.

Again he was pushed away before crudely remarking: "If you let me play with you, I'll give you fifty quid."

All three incidents were caught on CCTV and Hammond, of Marine Terrace, was arrested. He later admitted three offences of sexual assault.

Referring to his police interview, Ms Vinall said: "He answered all questions. He said he was sexually attracted to females aged 12 to 13, and those girls in particular because of the clothing they were wearing."

It was this confession which defence barrister Suzanne Fewins told the court demonstrated what was "unusual frankness" in such cases and, with probation assistance, that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

But, having heard that until this year the septuagenarian had led a crime-free life with no previous convictions or cautions, Judge Weekes adjourned the sentencing hearing for a psychiatric assessment.

He told the court: "I have no doubt the case is suspendable but two matters cause me the most concern. I think he is a risk to the public, and that really is my principle concern.

"The second is in terms of the pre-sentence report. It's true he is 79, nearly 80, and is of good character, but the risk factors that have emerged, or must have emerged in recent times, are such that I wonder how realistic his chances of rehabilitation are.

"It's true he pleaded guilty, but it's because of the risk factors. These are very concerning incidents.

"The problem is it's a man who admits an attraction to young girls, who has acted on it and in quite an intimidating and really disturbing fashion in a really short space of time.

"He has effectively, excuse the expression, gone from nought to 60 and approached three young, vulnerable girls and sexually assaulted them. That really is very troubling."

Ms Fewins confirmed that there had been no real explanation from the defendant, beyond revealing his sexual attraction, as to why he had behaved in such a disinhibited manner.

"He has never acted in this way before so it goes to it being out-of-character, very peculiar, behaviour," she added. "Perhaps that is something that needs exploring as it hasn't to date."

Remanding Hammond back into custody until November 8, Judge Weekes said if he proceeded to sentence without knowing more, he would conclude the risk posed was "too high".

"I want there to be a psychiatric report compiled on you," he told the pensioner. "I'm very concerned about what's going on psychiatrically with you that's led to you committing those offences."