A former top ranking civil servant with a sordid foot fetish has been convicted of trying to seduce a boy with sex texts about socks!

Mark Levett, a pastoral support worker at a Walmer Science college, tried to claim the messages were just “banter”.

But a jury at Canterbury Crown Court rejected his claim and found him guilty of meeting the teenager after sexual grooming.

Judge James O’Mahony said the former official with the Ministry of Health that he now faced a prison sentence.

He told Levett, of Water Street, Deal: “The jury haven’t taken a long time to see through your lies.

“You are an intelligent, vain and sophisticated man who has had years of experience working with children.

“You must have known how vulnerable children can be at that age and whatever your non-criminal sexual interests are it is nobody’s business but yours.

“But you do not involve children – especially one which involves a breach of trust.”

Levett, who had denied the offence, was given bail while probation reports were prepared for sentencing in December.

But the judge added: “But have no doubt...you are going to prison!”

Among the texts sent by the 40-year-old, from Water Street, Deal were: “Oh dear, Well if you don’t mind I will dream of soothing you after a day’s work with a cuddle and some kissing and rubbing of tired toes. Is that OK?”

“Nice coffee in the sun....day dreaming of your socks just now actually...xxxxxcx”

Levett, who was a member of the ‘skills force” at Walmer Science College, also sent the teenager messages on Whatsapp and Facebook.

They included: “Goodnight handsum (sic), quiet from you today. Hope all is well. Think of me when the shoes come off..home tomorrow!xxxxxx”

And: “please can I have a pic sent to me...Still dreaming of having your socks and feet on my face but I think you’re not keen on that? Xxxxxxxx”

"Think of me when the shoes come off..home tomorrow!xxxxxx" Mark Levett in text to boy

Prosecutor Simon Taylor had told the jury that after a complaint was made to police officers seized Levett’s mobile phone and computer.

He claimed: “Based upon the material found on these devices’ hard drives, the police established that the defendant has a foot fetish.

“His particular interest is the feet of teenage boys with their socks on.”

The jury heard how he had searched for images using Internet search terms including “cute teen feet”, “Teenfeet1993”, “My teen boy feet” and “teen boy feet in trainers”.

Mr Taylor said Levett’s role at school’s skills force had been to assist pupils in settling in but continued his association with the victim he left his school post.