A young church official who sexually abused a young girl has been warned he could be locked up.

When arrested, 20-year-old John Allison admitted almost straight away he had molested the victim. He pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child.

The young victim told how he asked her to touch his "wobbly bits".

Allison, a Catholic church server of Duncan Road, Gillingham, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court for sentence on Friday.

But a judge said he would adjourn for a psychological assessment because of a matter alluded to by Allison's mother.

Tom Allen, defending, argued a suspended sentence recommended in a probation report could be imposed.

"It is not a common set of circumstances," he said. "He does not seek to deny what he has done. He understands the damage it has done.

"A suspended sentence would punish him and assist the community in the long term."

Judge Philip St John-Stevens said it was a troubling and serious matter.

"What is alluded to by his mother should be put into a psychological assessment, not only to look at the right sentence but to look at protection in the future."

The judge added: "He is obviously an intelligent young man."

Adjourning sentence for six weeks, he said: "He must not think that is any promise about what the ultimate sentence will be.

"It may well be a custodial sentence is the only sentence which is appropriate."