A FORMER soldier who filmed himself sexually abusing a young girl has been jailed for four years by a judge at Maidstone Crown Court.

John Gilbey, 39, now an electrician, made the film involving the 13-year-old in the living room of his then home in Chatham. The court heard the girl was vulnerable.

Judge Michael Lawson QC told Gilbey: "You embarked upon the process of grooming her and abusing her. We will never be able to calculate the damage you have done to that girl."

Gilbey had admitted three charges of indecent assault and two of making indecent pseudo photographs between 2000 and 2003.

He denied indecently assaulting another girl, a further charge of making indecent photos and two other serious sexual offences. These were left on the court file.

Peter Alcock, prosecuting, told the sentencing hearing that the film came to light after another girl made allegations against Gilbey.

Gilbey was arrested and his home searched. Items taken away by the police included his computer and other equipment.

At first Gilbey, now of The Street, Stockbury, near Sittingbourne, denied any involvement in making the film or molesting the girl.

However, John Causer, defending, said Gilbey eventually had "the courage" to plead guilty, but he claims not to remember what happened.