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Paedophile from Wateringbury who lured children into caravan to sexually assault them has been locked up

A 78-year-old "devious and manipulative" pervert - who lured young children to his caravan by offering them use of a Playstation - has been jailed for six years.

Predatory paedophile Terence Clover from Wateringbury - who now suffers from bladder cancer - was convicted by a jury of sexually assaulting two victims.

Terence Clover. Picture: Kent Police
Terence Clover. Picture: Kent Police

He had claimed he showered the victims with presents out of "altruism" but a jury at Maidstone Crown Court rejected his account and convicted him on nine charges.

Prosecutor Daniel Stevenson had revealed how the offences happened when Clover was living in Orchard Crescent, Retreat Caravan Park, in Wateringbury.

Judge Adele Williams told him he had been convicted on "clear and compelling" evidence and had left his victims "traumatised, distressed and confused".

"What you did will have had a profound and long-term effect on them."

Clover had also kept hidden his sordid past after being convicted in 1984 and 1999 of rape and indecent assault involving two victims aged seven and 12 years.

Judge Adele Williams
Judge Adele Williams

Police had warned him not to have children in his caravan but the vile perverted ignored the warning and used the fact he had wifi to entice young boys before sexually abusing them.

Judge Williams told him: "You have shown no remorse nor insight into your crimes and you deny having a sexual interest in children.

"But I saw you giving evidence and I am convinced you are a predatory paedophile who targets young victims for your own sexual gratification."

He was given an immediate six year jail term and another three years will have to be served on licence when he is released.

Clover must serve at least four years before he can apply for parole.

Maidstone Crown Court
Maidstone Crown Court

The jury had heard how one of the schoolchildren told his mother that Clover had been sexually touching him.

Mr Stevenson added: "He told his mother that there was an occasion when the defendant pulled his trousers down and touched him. He also said that Clover had slapped his bottom."

The child said how Clover had claimed to have £5,000 in a bank account, and promised to pay for on-line Playstation games.

The assaults were reported to the police by the victim's mother but the child was too embarrassed to talk to police officers and instead penned what had happened.

He wrote: "He kept smacking my bum and started laughing as a joke he is a bad man."

Police who began an investigation discovered evidence on Clover's computer he had also "groomed" another child by promising presents.

An NSPCC spokesman added: “Clover’s victims have shown incredible courage in speaking out and helping bring him to justice.

“We hope they now receive the help they need to move forward and recover.

"This case shows that anyone who has suffered abuse can come forward in the knowledge they will be listened to and supported.”

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.

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