A pervert who sexually abused a young girl has been jailed for two years.

John Adam, of London Road, Northfleet, was told by Judge Jeremy Carey that it was "without hesitation" that he deserved an immediate custodial sentence.

He added that the 58-year-old had "slobbered" over the youngster in a "truly disgusting" way.

"That offending will have an impact upon her," Judge Carey continued.

"One doesn't know how or to what extent but do not be under any illusion that an innocent child is unaware of the gross nature of that type of offending."

Adam admitted sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity when he appeared in front of North Kent magistrates' earlier this year. He was committed to Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing.

Prosecutor Sarah Lindop told the court Adam molested the girl by kissing her on the mouth.

"He was moving his tongue around and licking her lips, trying to put his tongue between them," she said.

Adam later invited the girl to touch his genitals.

The court was told that although the youngster never disclosed this to police, the exchange was overheard by another child and Adam himself confessed to what had happened.

She added: "He said he had not been sexually active for several years as he felt he was too old.

"He said he didn't know why he had asked her but it felt like he was in a fantasy world and was not doing her any harm."

"He said he didn't know why he had asked her but it felt like he was in a fantasy world and was not doing her any harm" - Prosecutor Sarah Lindop

The court heard that Adam, who has several previous convictions for indecent exposure between 1971 and 1983, had drunk two bottles of wine.

Andrew Espley, defending, said that may be the only explanation for his offending 30 years after his last conviction.

"While drunkenness cannot excuse this sort of offending, it acts as a disinhibitor and that is why this offence may have taken place," he explained.

Mr Espley added that Adam had saved his victim the ordeal of giving evidence at court by confessing from the outset.

"It was made clear he was never going to call the child a liar and that if she said it then it must have been true."

Upon release from prison Adam must sign on the sex offenders' register for 10 years and is likely to be barred from working with children.

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