A former Whitstable man was today given a 22 year sentence – after a series of attacks on two children and a young woman.

John Tuohy, 61, had been found guilty of rapes and sex assaults by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court.

Now the paedophile has been told by a judge: “You robbed one of you victims of her innocence and her childhood.

“You are a sexual predator and a bully. You have caused your victims misery.”

She jailed Tuohy, who now lives in Catford, south-west London, for 18 years and added another four years which he will serve on licence if and when he is released on parole.

As he was led away to begin his sentence, a woman in the public gallery shouted: “You scummy ****!”

Tuohy, who used to live in a caravan on a static site near Whitstable, had carried out a series of sex attacks going back a number of years.

Then in 2006, the married Tuohy carried out “an unpleasant sex attack” on a 22 year old woman who he grabbed and pushed against a wall and tried to kiss her.

During the incident he tried to pull off his victim’s clothes and forced himself between her legs before grabbing her breasts.

When she complained she was not believed, the judge was told.

She said: “You continued your sexual interest in children and young women, taking advantage of those who were vulnerable and you have shown no remorse, no insight into your crimes and are still in denial.”

Investigating officer DC Emily Hooper said: "Tuohy has shown a complete lack of empathy and remorse towards the victims and the crimes he has committed throughout this investigation.

"The victims and witnesses in this case have shown great courage and bravery during what can only have been a horrendous ordeal for them.

"The sentence that Tuohy has received today shows that Kent Police take allegations of this nature extremely seriously, however long ago the offences happened and that offenders of these crimes will be brought to justice."