A man convicted of sexual assaults on boys has been jailed for eight months for downloading child abuse images.

Paul Harris, of Boundary Road, Chatham, was told that the choice was either sending him to prison or allowing him to go free and receive treatment under a sex offender programme.

But Judge Jeremy Carey told the 44-year-old former hotel porter: “I have no doubt you genuinely want some assistance, but in the circumstances the court must impose an immediate custodial sentence.

“The reason for that is the level of offending and degree of culpability is such that I cannot responsibly or properly take another course.

“The message must be reinforced that those who offend in the way you have, particularly with a criminal record, will go to prison.”