A former top-ranking civil servant with a foot fetish was jailed for two years for trying to seduce a boy with sex texts about socks.

Mark Levett, 50, a pastoral support worker at Walmer Science College, tried to claim the messages were just “banter”.

But now a judge has heard he has finally admitted what he did was sexual grooming and has now apologised.

His barrister Andrew Jefferies QC told Canterbury Crown Court: “He has accepted his guilt. He is not in denial.

“But now he has lost everything.”

Judge James O’Mahony said: “The law isn’t here to put a window to people’s soul but to protect children.”

He told Levett that having a foot fetish was his private business but he had no right to involve children in his sexual affairs.

At an earlier hearing, the jury found him guilty of meeting the teenager after sexual grooming after hearing how he sent the victim presents, told him he loved him and called him “handsome” and “baby” before arranging meetings.

The judge told Levett, of Water Street, Deal: “You pleaded not guilty in the face of overwhelming evidence of your sexual and physical interest in feet – although in this case you never carried them out.

“You are an intelligent, articulate, sophisticated and urbane man who was a senior civil servant before going to this school.

"You pleaded not guilty in the face of overwhelming evidence of your sexual and physical interest in feet – although in this case you never carried them out"- Judge James O'Mahony

Among the texts sent by Levett, from Water Street, Deal were: “Oh dear, Well if you don’t mind I will dream of soothing you after a day’s work with a cuddle and some kissing and rubbing of tired toes. Is that OK?”

“Nice coffee in the sun....day dreaming of your socks just now actually...xxxxxcx”

Levett, who was a member of the ‘skills force” at Walmer Science College, also sent the teenager messages on Whatsapp and Facebook.

They included: “Goodnight handsum (sic), quiet from you today. Hope all is well. Think of me when the shoes come off..home tomorrow!xxxxxx”

And: “please can I have a pic sent to me...Still dreaming of having your socks and feet on my face but I think you’re not keen on that? Xxxxxxxx”

Prosecutor Simon Taylor had told the jury that after a complaint was made police officers seized Levett’s mobile phone and computer.