A pervert who molested and filmed young girls at his Sheppey home has been locked up indefinitely for public protection.

Christopher Pollard, who defiantly refused to attend either his trial or sentence at Maidstone Crown Court, was told by a judge that the punishment was virtually indistinguishable from a life sentence.

The 61-year-old had already been recalled to prison after being released on licence from a life term for manslaughter.

Because not guilty pleas had to be entered in Pollard’s absence, his two victims were forced to give evidence in front of a jury and were then cross-examined by lawyers appointed to represent him.

Judge Martin Joy said Pollard abused the girls, who were under the age of 13, at his home in High Street, Queenborough, to satisfy his lust. Three more girls under 16 were present on at least one occasion.

He also filmed the younger girls either undressing or wearing "adult" underwear, while he was only in his underwear.

Pollard was convicted of two charges of making an indecent photograph of children, two charges of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, one of sexual assault and one of inciting a child to perform a sex act.

Passing sentence and addressing an empty dock, Judge Joy said: "I am required to consider whether you present a risk to the public of serious harm. I am satisfied you do present such a risk.

"You elected not to be present. You said you will not attend, although you are in custody. You remained in your cell and chose not to be legally represented. You were convicted on clear evidence."

The indeterminate sentence, he said, would be two years, less almost a year spent on remand. Should the parole board eventually consider it was safe to release him, he would be on licence for life.

Judge Joy said if he had passed a determinate sentence, it would have been one of four years. His name will appear on the sex offenders’ register.