A convicted sex offender who abused a young boy and showed him and another boy pornography has been locked up for public protection.

Daniel Harding was jailed for four years with an extended licence period of two years after judge decided he posed a significant risk of serious harm to children.

The 42-year-old pervert, of Prince Charles Avenue, Sittingbourne, admitted two charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

Prosecutor Paul Valder told a previous hearing Harding had ordered the 12-year-old boy to perform a sex act on himself and threatened: “If you don’t, I will strangle you.”

He was given supervision for indecent assault and other serious offences in 2004. He breached a sexual offences prevention order within a few months and was then jailed for two years.

In the latest offences, Harding, said by his lawyer to have learning difficulties and to be “the product of a toxic legacy”, persuaded the boy to perform a sex act on himself and showed him and the other boy pornography.

Judge Philip Statman said at Maidstone Crown Court: “The images these two young lads were shown would appear to have been adult pornography and on another occasion of children of around 14 years of age.”

Harding accepted he groomed the first boy by showing him porn. He also filmed himself performing a sex act and showed it to the victim.

“It is of significance that you have acted against two young boys and with your past record of offending these have become very grave offences indeed,” said the judge.

Harding was abused as a child and had a history of self-harm and depression.

"You more than most would know just how dreadful it is what you did in the presence of these young children" - Judge Philip Statman

“You describe yourself as being lonely and find it easier to relate to children, rather than adults,” he continued.

“You have a long-standing interest in downloading level one and two pornography.

“It is hard to think of a more difficult upbringing than you have had. I readily understand it has left very serious scarring on you.

“Against that, you more than most would know just how dreadful it is what you did in the presence of these young children, both of whom had difficulties of their own.”

Harding will be released from the sentence automatically when he has served two thirds.

His name will appear on the sex offenders’ register and a sexual offences prevention order was imposed, both indefinitely.