A soccer coach who posed as an attractive teenage girl on the internet and tricked several boys into engaging in sex acts on webcam has been jailed for six years.

Kevin Ford remains in denial about the offences involving targeting boys aged 13 to 15 on social networking sites.

A judge told the 26-year-old pervert, who worked for Soccer Elite based in Maidstone: "What cries out from all these offences is the element of control. These young boys are doing what you are telling them to do.

"It must be concluded that with this level of power and control there comes a level of arrogance which manifested itself in the manner in which you presented yourself before the jury."

Maidstone Crown Court heard that while coaching young boys, Ford, of Rose Street, Rochester, used the name Sarah Sawyer to hoodwink victims on the internet.

He persuaded them to perform sex acts so that he could watch without them seeing him.

"What cries out from all these offences is the element of control. These young boys are doing what you are telling them to do..." - Judge Philip Statman

Ford sent pictures of an attractive teenage girl, sometimes naked, pretending they were of Sarah Sawyer.

The prosecution said if the boys refused to cooperate, he used techniques to persuade them.

He threatened one boy he would post a video on Facebook he had recorded of him performing a sex act.

Police found overwhelming evidence after seizing phones and computers from Ford, one of which was used by other members of his family.

He denied 10 charges of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity between February and August 2012.

He was barred from working with children and vulnerable adults and his name will appear on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. A sexual offences prevention order was made for 10 years.

Judge Philip Statman said modern technology was often used in the correct manner for educational and social functions, but they could also be used for acts of criminality.

"You spoke over the internet to your victims when they were at home," he told Ford. "You persuaded them to perform sex acts for your own sexual gratification."

One outraged parent became aware of what Ford was doing and "let rip" at him.

The judge said Ford had a successful career as a soccer coach and had obtained high qualifications.

"You have let yourself down by your conduct, together with those who admired your ability to coach," he added.

"You brought on young talented players in Kent to become exceptionally fine. In all likelihood it seems unlikely you will ever be in a position to coach at this level again."