A pervert who refuses to stay away from a teenage girl he groomed for underage sex is being kept in prison until she reaches the age of consent.

David King admitted breaching the terms of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) by continuing to have contact with the girl.

But his lawyer told a judge they were both determined to continue the relationship when the girl reached her 16th birthday in December.

Passing a sentence that will keep 24-year-old King in jail until about mid-December, Judge Charles Byers told him: "If you have any sense, you will keep yourself to yourself until after Christmas when you will see her without any difficulty."

King was given a 16-month suspended sentence, with two years' supervision, in September last year for two offences of sexual activity with a child and two of possessing indecent photographs of her.

King, formerly of Powder Mill Lane, Tunbridge Wells, was also ordered to complete a sex offenders' programme and 200 hours' unpaid work.

"It seems both parties are determined that as at her 16th birthday they will continue the relationship..." - Barry Gregory, defending

He was placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years and a curfew was imposed for four months.

A judge said at the time it was in the public interest there was intervention to address his "distortion in thinking".

The court heard King had a relationship with the girl, which developed into intimate sexual contact.

The judge ordered King to have no unsupervised contact with any child under 16.

But Maidstone Crown Court heard King had contacted the girl by mobile phone and then met her in November last year while he was staying at bail hostel in Maidstone.

Dominic Benthall, prosecuting, said King was spotted walking with his arm around the girl.

When arrested, he told officers: "This is my partner."

He confirmed he had breached the SOPO and was aware of the ramifications.

"He said he would continue to contact her because he loved her and they were engaged," said Mr Benthall.

Ordering King to serve the 16-month suspended sentence - plus six months for breaching the order - Judge Byers spoke of the offender's "arrogant approach" and ordered no contact with the girl until she was 16.

He told King: "When a court makes an order it means it.

"You may not think it is appropriate for a court to make it, but such orders are made for the protection of those under the age of 16.

"You have at least had the good sense to please guilty. It is an aggravating feature there are so many breaches."

The judge said the 22-month sentence meant King would be released somewhere around the middle of December.

Barry Gregory, defending, said King had been open about his position. "It seems both parties are determined that as at her 16th birthday they will continue the relationship," he added.

"He is upset it is suggested he is predatory. He deserves punishment and will take it. Other than that, you can let him be released at the end of the year."

Mr Gregory added King wanted to contact the girl's father and, if necessary, take "clout around the ear".

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