A 48-year-old former firefighter who repeatedly sexually abused a young girl more than 16 years ago has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Colin Swaden admitted molesting the victim as long ago as 1991, but no action was taken.

He was arrested in March this year and has since lost his job as a fireman based at Gravesend.

John O’Higgins, prosecuting, said Swaden, of Vicarage Lane, Hoo, near Rochester, started abusing the girl when she was nine and it continued for two years.

Mr O’Higgins said Swaden touched her on her chest and private parts. She said he would sometimes perform a sex act on himself while touching her and also got her to touch him.

When Swaden was arrested he said: “I have no problem admitting what I have done.”

Mr O’Higgins said Swaden pleaded guilty to three charges of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child.

Adrienne Knight, defending, submitted there were exceptional circumstances for not jailing Swaden and imposing a community penalty.

She handed in a character reference from assistant chief fire officer Neil Gibbons, who said Swaden was held in high regard.

Miss Knight said Swaden had had his eyes opened to what he had been doing and obtained professional help, which had been part-funded by the fire service. He pleaded guilty to avoid further pain for the victim, who was present in court.

Miss Knight said Swaden deeply regretted what he did and now had mental health problems.

Judge Andrew Goymer said Swaden had committed the offences because of his desire for sexual gratification.

“I appreciate these offences took place a long time ago and you have shown considerable remorse,” he said. “But I have to remember that she has had to live with it too and to live with the consequences.

“The public are entitled to know that those who commit these type of offences will be appropriately punished.”

The judge said two-and-a-half years was the least sentence he could impose.

Swaden will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life but was not banned from working with children.