A sick underwear fetishist has been given an eight year extended jail term for attacks on a child more than 25 years ago.

Pervert Terry Hughes, 62, formerly of Stowting, thought he had escaped justice for his sordid crimes in the 1990s, including secretly groping his victim while her mother slept in the same bed.

But his victim had the courage to tell police officers of her ordeal in Folkestone after the vile Hughes had befriended her family.

And when police raided his home in East Anglia they discovered he had stored images on his computer of children in knickers.

A jury at Canterbury Crown Court rejected his claim he did not have a sexual interest in children and convicted him on three indecent assaults.

Now a judge has given him a six year jail sentence and ordered him to serve at least four years before he can even apply for parole.

Judge Simon James then added another two years which Hughes has to serve on licence when he is finally released.

"I am deeply concerned about the continuing risk you pose to children" - Judge Simon James

Prosecutor Christopher May revealed Hughes was still searching for illegal child images just a day before officers arrested him.

They also discovered he had been having chats with women on an internet dating site which involved discussions about sex with a child.

His barrister John Fitzgerald said Hughes was just fantasising during the internet chats but added that he had a “voyeuristic interest in underwear”.

He said that 81 of the 89 images found on Hughes’ computer were in the lowest class of serious illegal images.

Judge James told him: “During the trial you were questioned about the images and you suggested that posed pictures of children, deliberately exposing their underwear, were not indecent.

“You explained that you thought that was entirely natural and steadfastly denied having any sexual interest in children.

“I have concluded that you are in complete denial and that was also demonstrated in your internet exchanges. I am deeply concerned about the continuing risk you pose to children.”

Hughes denied the sex charges but was found guilty after a trial. He admitted 10 offences of possessing illegal images.

The judge also made him subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

After sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Lisa Atkins said: "The victim showed great courage in speaking out and reporting these terrible crimes to police.

"The lengthy sentence imposed on Hughes reflects the seriousness of his actions and sends a clear message to anyone else who abuses children for their own sexual gratification.

"Kent Police takes all reports of historic sexual abuse seriously and I would like to assure victims that their reports will be thoroughly investigated no matter the length of time that has passed since the incident occurred."