A pervert has been jailed for six years for sexually abusing two girls.

John Rigby assaulted one girl and gave her "hush money" to stop her telling her mother.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the abuse by 53-year-old Rigby, of Grasmere Grove, Rochester, dated back several years but the victim did not report it until more recently.

Simon Taylor, prosecuting, told the jury Rigby also molested another girl.

He denied six charges of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, 10 of indecent assault and six of indecency with a child.

He was convicted last month of all charges except one of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, which was left on the court file.

Christopher May, defending, said it was accepted they were serious offences but added they were not the most serious to come before the courts.

Rigby was of positive good character in terms of his military service and a commendation he received.

"He served his country just after the end of the Falklands conflict," said Mr May.

He added: "Of course, it is accepted there is a significant impact on the complainants. Mr Rigby's life is also in ruins, however self-inflicted that is."

Judge Philip St John-Stevens said Rigby had corrupted the first victim, rewarding her with money for favours.

"She did not know right from wrong," he said.

The second girl was given hush money to stop her revealing what was happening to her.

The judge imposed a sexual offences prevention order for 10 years, banning Rigby from contact with children under 16 without supervision. His name will appear on the sex offenders' register.