A convicted sex offender lurked in changing cubicles at a leisure centre before exposing himself to a young girl, a court heard.

Ian Wardley had previously been given an extended sentence for flashing at young girls on trains in London and performing a sex act.

Maidstone Crown Court heard four months after his release, the muscular 34-year-old was at Strood Leisure Centre in Watling Street on October 15 last year when he committed the latest offence.

Three days after taking out a gym membership, he stripped off in a cubicle and exposed himself to the girl, aged nine, and performed a sex act in front of her. She reported it to staff and Wardley was arrested.

"It is clear you deliberately went there to do that," said Judge Charles Macdonald QC. "You remained in the changing rooms for the sole purpose of offending for approximately one hour."

Wardley, of Weston Road, Strood, admitted engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and failing to comply with notification requirements.

He was given the extended sentence at Croydon Crown Court on August 30, 2013 after he was found to be a danger.

Now, he has been given another extended sentence for public protection.

Judge Macdonald jailed Wardley for 28 months with four years extended licence.

He will have to serve two thirds of the term before the parole board will consider his release. His name will appear on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

Under a sexual harm prevention order, Wardley was banned from going to leisure centres where children were present.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Matt Lincoln said: "Wardley has proven himself to be a danger to the public and I welcome the sentence he has received.

"He exposed himself to a vulnerable child and left them feeling disturbed and uncomfortable. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

"Wardley now has a chance to use his time in prison to turn his life around and I hope he realises the severity of the offence he has committed and the impact it has had on the victim."