A pervert who molested a young girl has been jailed for 10 years.

Phillip Butterworth, of Ethelbert Road, Cliftonville, was convicted of four counts of sexual activity with a child and admitted eight of possessing child abuse images.

The 59-year-old (pictured left) was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court, where he was told he had committed a serious breach of trust.

Judge James O'Mahony said the offences involved appalling sexual abuse of a child.

"You have shown some remorse, but it has been limited. You utterly failed to come to terms with reality and to recognise the seriousness of your behaviour.

"On four of these counts you were convicted by a jury and that is not surprising because your account of it was ridiculous.

Pamela Brain, defending, said Butterworth was a man of previous good character who suffers health problems including anxiety, depression and diabetes.

"He is not of good health and is a rather old 59," Miss Brain said.

"He has been able to realise his conduct was inappropriate. I'm not trying to minimise what the complainant has said, I'm merely trying to emphasise that there is some hope for him.

"But he has been struggling to come to terms with prison life and is trying to make the best of the situation he is in."

Phillip Butterworth was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court

As well as the 10-year sentence, Butterworth was made subject of an indefinite sexual offences prevention order and will have to sign the sex offenders' register.