by Keith Hunt

A pervert who posed as a teenage boy in internet chatrooms and persuaded young girls to send him revealing photos has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Nicholas Bennett, said to run a successful business, wept as a judge told him: "You are every parent's nightmare."

The 31-year-old husband, of Herbert Road, Swanley, also downloaded child sex abuse images, including a film clip at the highest level of five, showing bondage.

Judge Philip Statman said: "It is one of the worst images I have ever had to watch. It is quite shocking."

Bennett admitted five charges of causing or inciting pornography, four of making indecent images of children and one of causing or inciting sexual activity with a child.

Maidstone Crown Court heard police raided his home in February last year after one of his victims, aged 18, revealed she had e-mailed nude pictures of herself to him when she was 15.

She described engaging in internet chat and role play with Bennett.

Trevor Wright, prosecuting, said Bennett asked officers: "What am I likely to get for this? I'm f-----, aren't I?"

He admitted entering chatrooms and talking to teens and indulging in role play.

When his computers were seized and he was asked if there were any indecent images of children on them, he replied: "I really, really hope not."

The prosecutor said Bennett asked one girl to meet him and there was a suggestion she did so.

Another girl, a 14-year-old from Yorkshire, also sent him revealing pictures.

Mr Wright said police found 15 indecent photographs of children at levels one, three video clips at level one and one at level five.

Bennett's name will appear on the sex offenders' register for life and a sexual offences prevention order will run for 10 years.