by Keith Hunt

A pervert who sexually abused two children several years ago has been jailed for 10 years.

A judge told 71-year-old Brian Hughes although the offences happened many years ago, they had a lasting impact on the victims.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Hughes, of no fixed address, was living in Shorne when he abused one of the children.

Crispian Cartwright, prosecuting, said Hughes would get on top of the victim and get her to perform a sex act on him.

He also abused the other child and offered money, sweets and other gifts. The child was to describe him as a monster.

Hughes went to live in Spain in 2005 and volunteered at a donkey sanctuary, but was extradited back to the UK to face charges.

He admitted one charge of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child.

Sue Piyadasa, defending, told the judge Mr Justice Cooke: “Bearing in mind his age, I hope you can be lenient in respect of sentence.”

The judge said the gravity of the offences was substantial and the effect on the victims was impossible to quantify.

“Nothing can excuse activity of this kind,” he said.

“You plainly indulged in emotional exploitation and blackmail. Only imprisonment can be justified.”

A sexual offences prevention order was imposed and Hughes was placed on the sex offenders’ register.