A pervert who posed as a masseur and sexually assaulted a woman was in for a shock when he discovered she was a police officer.

Joe Marchant, once described as a chronic sexual offender by a judge, was arrested after he molested the victim during a massage at her home in July last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Marchant, of Belfry Drive, Hoo, was not a qualified masseur and had only downloaded courses from the internet.

The 39-year-old was warned he could be facing jail after admitting sexual assault shortly before he was due to stand trial.

Robert De Banzie, defending, said Marchant held himself up to be qualified by placing an advert online, but claimed it was not preparatory to committing the offence.

“He was motivated by the need for money,” he said. “No other complaints have materialised. He found himself alone with the woman who was attractive to him. He felt his old urges resurfacing.

“He has no formal qualifications. He believed himself to be sufficiently qualified in practical terms, if not legally. He has not been charged with fraud.”

Mr De Banzie said Marchant had been depressed and suicidal.

When released from his last sentence he asked if he could attend a sex offenders’ programme but was told it had to be by direction of the court.

“I am hoping to persuade the court that the sentence could be suspended,” he added.

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

The court heard Marchant had previous convictions for indecent assault, indecent exposure and sexual harassment and had been given probation and community orders.

Then of High Street, Rainham, Judge Jeremy Carey told him “time had run out” for him and there had to be a prison sentence.

Adjourning sentence for reports for the latest offence to assess dangerousness, Recorder Noel Lucas QC told Marchant: “My view is this is a serious matter. He appears to have no experience or training for giving massages.

“The sentence I would have in mind would be an immediate custodial term.”

Marchant was granted conditional bail until sentence on May 27.