A Medway man who molested a young boy in toilets at a supermarket has been locked up for three years.

Ashley Ingram, 20, had previously been given a referral order for 12 months for sexually assaulting a boy, aged seven.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Ingram, who lives in Churchill Avenue, Chatham, was also accused of indecency with a schoolgirl, aged 12, in May 2004 and a boy, aged five, in December that year.

Neither matter went to court and Ingram denied any wrongdoing.

Trevor Wright, prosecuting, said the latest victim was in a north Kent supermarket on August 11 last year with his mother when he went to the toilets.

While there, Ingram, who was shopping with his girlfriend, touched the boy’s private parts.

The boy was seen on CCTV running from the toilets and complaining to his mother. Staff were informed.

Ingram walked past and the victim identified him. The mother then confronted Ingram.

He at first denied sexually assaulting the boy, but later admitted the offence.

Jonathan Dunne, defending, said Ingram, whose girlfriend is expecting a baby, admitted he had a problem and was in an extraordinarily sad position.

“Of course, it was a disgraceful act,” he said.

Mr Dunne said Ingram been given a taste of custody and could now be dealt with in the community and undergo a sex offenders’ programme.

Judge Jeremy Carey said that Ingram posed a risk and there had to be immediate custody.

He made “the strongest possible recommendation” that there be sex offenders’ treatment both in prison and during the licence period.

“Your position is substantially aggravated by reason of your previous offending,” he said.

Ingram was banned from working with children and placed on the sex offenders’ register.