A depraved pensioner who groomed a vulnerable teenager he met online by paying him hundreds of pounds in cash has been jailed.

David Smith knew from the outset of speaking to the boy in a Kik chatroom that he was underage and, as soon as the communication switched to WhatsApp, it turned sexual, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

The 68-year-old, described as "dangerous and manipulative", asked the youngster for explicit photographs and to perform sex acts on camera.

He pestered him even when he was at school and into the early hours when his parents were asleep.

The Rainham sex offender also preyed on the boy's emotions, describing how he was lonely, depressed and suffering from cancer.

The victim later told police how he had been profoundly affected by the online abuse and cruelly bullied by his peers after they heard about his ordeal.

Prosecutor Allister Walker told the court that Smith transferred a total of £845 to the teenager over the four months that they were talking.

At the time of his warped communications, which were also conducted over the Telegram app, Smith was on bail having been caught out in a police sting for similar behaviour.

Unbeknown to the pervert, the 12-year-old boy he was grooming over a month-long period was an undercover officer.

Again, they had met through Kik, in a chatroom called Schoolboys, with Smith calling himself Peter Fowler and with the username “hugsandcuddles67”.

They then exchanged messages and images via SnapChat.

“It is clear that the officer told the defendant his age - that he was 12, referred to being at school and his profile was one of a child in school uniform,” said Mr Walker.

“They talked about him (the undercover officer) being in a changing room getting ready for PE.

“The defendant asked if there were any boys there that he fancied, what they might be wearing and if he could see their 'bulges'.

“The boy (officer) talked about going to the cinema but the defendant would turn the conversation sexual.

“The nature of it clearly demonstrates grooming, telling him he was sexy, asking for pictures, and saying he would ‘love to be the guy who teaches you things’.

“The defendant said he was aroused and if they met they could have ‘sexy fun’.”

The court heard Smith also suggested on several occasions about meeting up but later messaged to say he was “disappointed” it could not go ahead as he was due to have a knee operation.

A week later he was arrested at his home in Childscroft Road. He told police he talked to a lot of people online and if he had known the age he would have stopped.

But, having been bailed, he continued to groom the other boy, even telling him about his arrest, and to send him money.

Smith, who has two previous convictions for possessing indecent images in 2002 and 2006, was re-arrested in February this year and gave a 'No comment' interview.

The court heard he later pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child and arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence in respect of the undercover officer.

But it was not until the first day of trial when the teenager had attended court that offences of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child were admitted.

In a victim impact statement, the boy told police of the many difficulties he had faced as a consequence of the abuse and for which he had had to undergo therapy.

“It's scary there are people online who would take advantage of children,” he said. “I really hope this doesn't happen to any other children and David gets the punishment he deserves.”

Toby Long, defending, said his client had acknowledged he was sexually attracted to children, had expressed shame and remorse, and was motivated to address his behaviour.

The trigger, he added, was a prolonged grief disorder following the death of his mum in 2018, together with social isolation and his prostate cancer diagnosis.

“He went down a rabbit hole of constant online chatrooms, mostly talking to adults and lapsing on two occasions,” said Mr Long.

“He tells me he is extremely remorseful and deeply ashamed and wants to apologise for the trauma and distress caused.”

Jailing Smith on Friday (September 13) for a total of nine years, of which he will have to serve at least two-thirds before he can apply for parole, Judge Philip Statman said he posed a significant risk of harm to children.

"Despite your low mood, you have persisted in seeking sexual gratification and you are someone capable of grooming and manipulating your victims," he told the pensioner.

"In my judgment, having looked at everything I know about you, including your background, your employment in the past, your attitude towards your late mother and your previous relevant convictions which are an aggravating feature despite their age and the period of time that has elapsed between them and this offence, all of those matters support the view that I have that you are dangerous.”

Smith was also told that once released, any licence period will be extended by two years.

He will also be subject to lifelong sex offender notification requirements and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

DC Barbara Zamorska said: “Smith has made persistent and repeated efforts to contact, meet and sexually abuse children.

‘The graphic detail and demands Smith included in his messages was hugely concerning.

“This case acts as another reminder to parents of children, who have mobile phones and tablets, to speak to them and help them understand the precautions they should take when using the internet and social media apps.

“Children should only communicate with people that they know personally and report any suspicions or inappropriate advances from strangers to their parents, schools or the police.”