A "dangerous" man who remains in denial despite admitting a catalogue of sexual abuse of children has been jailed for 10 years.

Charles Gregory was only caught after the mother of one of his victims received an odd message on her phone after he accidentally called her.

It featured the voice of the 40-year-old, of Trinity Road, Sittingbourne, and the girl, who was seemingly in distress, and police were called in to investigate.

He pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to offences of sexual assault and one of sexual activity with a child.

Gregory also admitted two offences of voyeurism in filming one of the victims naked.

But Maidstone Crown Court heard he continued to maintain his innocence, claiming he only pleaded guilty on legal advice.

Judge Michael Carroll told him: “I believe your dangerousness is heightened at this stage by the fact you are unable to accept your guilt and continue to profess your innocence of these charges.

"Your dangerousness is heightened at this stage by the fact you are unable to accept your guilt and continue to profess your innocence of these charges..." - Judge Michael Carroll

“That is why I am passing an extended sentence.”

Prosecutor Edmund Fowler said Gregory’s laptop computer was seized by police and was found to contain film of a teenage girl naked.

The equipment was said to be sophisticated, involving a high definition hidden camera.

Judge Carroll said: “The offences involve incredibly damaging behaviour of a sexual kind.

“One only has to look at the personal victim statements and things written about your behaviour that they will have to live with the legacy of what you did to them over many years to come, probably for the rest of their lives.

“The offending represents a catalogue of offences.”

Gregory will have to serve two thirds of his jail term under an extended sentence for the public’s protection before being considered for release.

He will also be on licence for another four years at the end of his 10-year stretch.

A sexual harm prevention order was made and Gregory’s name will appear on the sex offenders’ register, both indefinitely.

He will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Defence lawyer Gareth Morley said of Gregory: “He had the decency to enter his guilty pleas and save the victims the ordeal of having to give evidence.”

After sentencing, Detective Constable Richard Brown said: "Gregory's actions were vile and deliberate.

"When we arrested him, he denied everything and continued to deny his offences right up until the first day of his trial, when he suddenly changed his plea. This meant his victims' terrible ordeal was prolonged.

"Despite this, all the victims - who are or were children themselves - have acted with great courage and I would like to pay tribute to their bravery.

"Any Kent victim of sexual abuse should report it to Kent Police, where we have dedicated officers who are experienced with dealing with these sensitive matters.

"I welcome the news Gregory will be behind bars and urge anyone else enduring sexual abuse to come forward so we can bring their abusers to justice."