by Keith Hunt

A pervert who continues to deny he molested two young girls has been jailed for 18 months.

Nigel Stephens, 40, was convicted in January of five offences of indecent assault and three of sexual activity with a child in Sittingbourne.

Janet Weekes, defending, said because Stephens continued to insist he had not committed the abuse the probation service was unable to recommend alternatives to custody, including sex offender treatment.

"He was of good character," said Miss Weekes. "Neighbours and family friends talk about his positive qualities."

The allegations emerged in January 2008 but Stephens was not arrested until April 2011.

During that time he had held down a difficult job, despite a disability.

"This has been a very slow investigation," continued Miss Weekes. "It has been an incredibly stressful period. He has had a considerable time on remand on bail."

Miss Weekes said Stephens, who has been living in a caravan in Sheppey, had been acquitted of more serious offences which included allegations involving a third girl.

He originally faced 20 charges but the jury either failed to reach verdicts, he was found not guilty or he was acquitted by direction of Judge Charles Byers. The court heard how Stephens had persistently abused the victims, touching them inappropriately.

"That is the sort of behaviour that rightly causes the public great concern because young people are obviously vulnerable," said the judge. "One can never know how long it will take for a child to get over an experience such as that.

"Regrettably, you have found no remorse in your heart and the jury has convicted you of the offences for which you must now be punished."

The judge said he had taken into account the long delay in the investigation which was not Stephens’ fault, although he could have pleaded guilty to the offences the jury convicted him on.

Stephens, whose name will appear on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years, was a loving father and hard worker and his health had suffered, Judge Byers noted.