A 42-year-old man who committed serious sexual offences against two young boys has been jailed for nine years.

Timothy Rushworth was told by sentencing Judge Timothy Nash that his actions had been wicked and had taken place over a sustained period.

Rushworth, of Step Style, Sittingbourne, but formerly from Whitstable, appeared at Canterbury Crown Court for sentence having previously admitted 10 charges involving rape, another serious offence, indecency with a child and indecent assault. The offences happened in the early 1990s.

Robin Johnson, prosecuting, said Rushworth’s actions were ‘classic paedophile behaviour’ by arranging to be alone with the boys and referring to what happened as ‘our secret’.

The police became involved after one of the victims broke down and confided in a friend about what had happened to him.

Eleanor Laws, for Rushworth, urged on his behalf his pleas which had spared the victims the ordeal of giving evidence and said he had expressed remorse.

There was a reported suicide attempt and he had now lost his own family.

Jailing Rushworth, Judge Nash said he had left the victims mentally and emotionally scarred and they would have to live with it for the rest of their lives.

"Many would say you have forfeited your right to live in the community for the rest of your life. You ignored their pain, suffering and humiliation for your own gratification. It was utterly selfish."

Rushworth was made subject of a sexual offences prevention order for life and will be on the sex offenders' register indefinitly.