An elderly spiritual healer from Gillingham has been jailed for eight years for sexually abusing three children.

One of 77-year-old Colin Fooks' victims was so overcome during his trial that she collapsed in court.

A judge described it as "a pretty dramatic moment" by the girl, who suffered blackouts.

Fooks denied 10 offences of indecent assault, three of indecency with a child, two of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, one of sexual assault and one of sexual activity with a child.

He was cleared of two offences of indecent assault, one of sexual activity with a child and one of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and convicted of the remaining charges.

Fooks continues to deny any wrongdoing.

Maidstone Crown Court was told that some of the offences were committed as long ago as 1993.

Fooks, of Canterbury Street, and his wife, Maureen, were said to practise spiritual healing. The father-of-four was said to use his hands, while his wife used crystals.

The abuse included touching the children intimately and making girls touch him indecently, said Mr Valder.

One later told police she felt scared but because of her age she did not know it was wrong. Fooks also put his mouth on her breasts, saying it would "help to make them grow".

A boy told police he was abused while in public toilets. Another girl reported that Fooks would tickle her before molesting her.

Fooks said spiritual healing involved touching the person on their front and back.

Prosecutor Paul Valder said when Fooks appeared for sentence on Friday that there had been substantial ramifications for the victims.

Alexia Zimbler, defending, said Fooks' wife would be "bereft" as she relied on him.

Judge Jeremy Carey told Fooks: "The fact you are in denial is irrelevant and all too typical of sex offenders, many of whom go through the entire prison sentence denying they are sex offenders.

"It is commonplace. You are guilty and on clear evidence which the jury plainly accepted from the children. You indulged your sexual predilection at will.

"That offending has plainly had to a greater or lesser extent a really bad impact on all these young people.

"The effect runs far and wide and is permanent. You are the cause of that."

The judge spoke of the effect of the sentence on Fooks' older wife, who shared his denial that the offending "could possibly be true".

Fooks' name will appear on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.