“SICK” pervert Alan Read could have avoided a jail sentence if he had only accepted he needed help for preying on young girls using internet chatrooms.

A psychiatrist urged treatment under a sex offender programme, while the probation service rejected the move because of a stubborn refusal to face up to reality.

A judge said he agreed with an experienced probation officer and jailed the 40-year-old father for nine months.

“There is no doubt whatsoever that you were doing it for one reason only and that is sexual gratification,” said Judge James O’Mahony. “The fact you will not face up to it now is a matter of concern.”

Read, of Overcliffe, Gravesend, admitted six charges of causing a child to watch a sexual act and six of making indecent photographs of a child.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how in June 2006 he logged on to chatrooms posing as a youth and sent teenage girls obscene photos of himself.

He admitted attempting to meet victims to have sex with them and even told police he needed help.