A pub boss and former footman to the Queen found with child abuse videos on his phone has avoided community service to ensure his village boozer can continue to operate.

Christian Diamant, who owns the White Horse Inn in Bridge, near Canterbury , was spared unpaid work by a judge who said he had “no desire to upset his business”.

The 51-year-old, who previously served the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, appeared for sentencing at the city’s crown court on Friday having admitted having indecent pictures and videos of children on his iPhone.

He was found in possession of 29 indecent images and five videos when arrested by police in January.

He admitted to having an addiction to chatting with gay men on Grindr and sometimes having video calls and chats online to discuss and watch child sex abuse.

But his defence solicitor stressed that Diamant “did not have a sexual interest in children” and never shared the content with others.

Diamant was made the subject of a two-year community rehabilitation order with a condition that he attends a sex offenders programme.

The judge, Recorder Stuart Trimmer QC, said Diamant’s offending was something he “slipped into”, but that he shows desire to get back on track.

“You have shown you are deeply ashamed and desperate to address the causes of your offending,” he said.

“You’ve demonstrated steps to address offending and accepted what you have done. This sentence is to ensure you escape this and do not fall again.”

Recorder Trimmer said he had “no desire” to order Diamant carry out unpaid work as it would upset his current business at the White Horse.

Diamant, who grew up in Eastling in Faversham , was an under-butler for the Queen, serving at state visits and the wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

He took over the White Horse last year, describing himself as a “fun, flamboyant” pub owner.

Approached by KentOnline after his conviction, he said: “The judge made his judgement and was sympathetic to me trying to move forward and to protect jobs.”

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury