A pervert who posed as a masseur and sexually assaulted a woman who turned out to be a police officer has been jailed for two years eight months.

Joe Marchant, who has previous convictions for sex offences, was told by a judge it was a predatory and manipulative offence, adding: “In my judgement you have turned out to be bad rather than sad.”

The unemployed 39-year-old, of Belfry Drive, Hoo, admitted sexual assault.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the victim’s husband had decided to give her a treat by arranging a massage for her.

Using a false name, Marchant went to their home in July last year and the woman stripped to just her knickers in her bedroom.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC said what followed was extensive sexual touching.

“She was dumbfounded and frozen with amazement, as she might well be,” he said. “She did continually tell you to stop.”

Marchant, once described as a chronic sexual offender by another judge, was not a qualified masseur and had only downloaded courses from the internet.

Robert De Banzie, defending, said Marchant had debilitating depression and anxiety as a result of being jailed previously.

There were letters of support from friends and neighbours.

“It is remarkable that living a life of isolation and ostracism he has support from neighbours,” said Mr De Banzie.

“He says they have been fantastic throughout. He has hidden nothing from them.”

Mr De Banzie submitted that a suspended sentence with a sex offender programme requirement could be imposed.

“It is fair to say problematic sexual behaviour has reared its head from time to time,” he continued.

“There is genuine remorse. He realises he has to do something about these deep-seated problems.”

Judge Macdonald said a sexual offences prevention order had to be made restricting contact with females as there was a risk of further offending.

But he disagreed with a probation report that the “relevant danger” was made out so as to require a public protection sentence.

Marchant, whose name will appear on the sex offenders’ register, had entered the victim’s home by fraud.

“I am satisfied this was a predatory scheme to place you in a position to commit sexual offences,” added Judge Macdonald. “It ties in with your limited insight.”

Marchant was jailed for 18 months in May 2007 for breaching a sexual offences prevention order banning him from talking to young girls.

“It is fair to say problematic sexual behaviour has reared its head from time to time" - Robert de Banzie

He approached one girl on a train and followed her from Chatham railway station, making inappropriate comments to her.

Marchant was at Gillingham railway station when he asked a girl if she wanted to model for a “lads’ magazine”, telling her they would pay £200 up front.

He had previous convictions for indecent assault, indecent exposure and sexual harassment and had been given probation and community orders.

Then of High Street, Rainham, he was described by Judge Jeremy Carey as a chronic sex offender, who told him “time had run out” for him.

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