A former chief firefighter, who claimed he was “a looker not a toucher“, has been jailed for five years for child sex offences.

Snodland man Martin Emery, 64, was convicted by a jury of indecent assaults against a victim between 1997 and 2005.

The pervert was also convicted of voyeurism and possessing hundreds of child sex images and extreme pornography, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

An investigation uncovered the abuser had secretly filmed his victim, and further offences were identified after several devices were seized from his home including a hard drive and USB stick.

Now Emery, of Birling Road, has begun his jail sentence still protesting his innocence of the child sex offences.

But Judge Douglas Moore told him: “This was a cruel offence against a young girl. She has suffered psychological damage.

“You have damaged your victim most grievously. Your own sex gratification took priority over your victim’s misery and feelings of despair.

“And you have demonstrated absolutely no remorse, no contrition or regret over your actions.”

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said Emery had committed offences against his victim when she was between 10 and 11 years old.

She later told police in a statement how she felt “betrayed, used and manipulated” after identifying Emery from his injured hand, which resembled a claw.

‘Your own sex gratification took priority over your victim’s misery and feelings of despair...’

When police seized his computer they discovered hundreds of images and videos including some of the worst category.

Michael Haynes, defending, explained Emery has been married since 1979 and had held responsible jobs during his career.

In regards to possessing sex images, the offender had taken “active steps” to deal with what he accepted was his “warped perspective on these matters”.

During the trial Emery said he was ”a looker not a toucher,” to which the judge replied: “That’s not the greatest case”

Emery was jailed for a total of five years for the sex assaults, including voyeurism and including a year for possessing child sex images.

He is now subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

DC Wendy Tondeur, of the north Kent vulnerability investigation team, said: “Emery had the trust of a child and exploited this trust in the worst possible way, by subjecting her to systematic and harrowing abuse.

“The victim was left feeling helpless and with nowhere to turn, but thankfully in recent years found the courage to come forward and help us ensure Emery has now been brought to justice.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of any sexual offence to remember that it is never too late to report this to police.

“We have a team of specialist officers who work relentlessly to ensure that offenders like Emery do not evade justice, just because a crime may have happened a long time ago. We will always treat any information with the upmost confidence and sensitivity.”