A pervert who abused three young girls has been jailed for eight years.

Keith Portch, 46, was described as having a tendency for “controlling and abusive behaviour of a sexual nature”.

Judge Martin Joy, sitting at Maidstone Crown Court, added that Portch, who was unanimously convicted of three offences of indecent assault and seven of sexual activity with a child, was also an aggressive bully.

One victim was subjected to assaults which included what was described by prosecutor Christopher May as molestation “with some force”.

The court also heard evidence about another girl who had made similar allegations several years ago but the matter was never proceeded with by the Crown Prosecution Service.

A young woman also told of how he would make lewd comments and touch her bottom.

Portch, of Brabazon Road, Eastchurch, smiled at his partner, family and friends in the public gallery as sentence was passed.

Several had written what Judge Joy described as “impressive” character references on his behalf.

But he added: “I accept you have a generous, charitable and caring side.

“But it is one side of you. The other is a bullying, aggressive side which has involved sexual offences of a very serious nature.”

Portch will serve half his sentence less 69 days already spent on remand. He told his girlfriend he loved her as he was led out of the dock and she replied the same.

Others in court uttered words of support, including “Chin up” and “Don’t worry. We all know the truth”.

Maria Dineen, defending, said she was limited by what she could say in mitigation as Portch continues to deny the offences. However, she argued that he did not resort to violence or threats.

Portch had previously been convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with an under-age girl. Miss Dineen said Portch was 17 at the time and he was in a consensual relationship with the 15-year-old girl.

PC Allison Bridges, the officer in the case, said the sentencing of Keith Portch was the culmination of a long investigation by child protection officers based in the Public Protection Unit at Sittingbourne Police Station.

She said: “The sexual offences that Portch subjected his victims to were particularly nasty.

"Portch took advantage of his victims’ vulnerability for his own sexual gratification.

“The investigation has been a long and difficult one for the victims and families involved and the victims should all be commended for their courage in coming forward to report these crimes.

“I hope the sentence Portch received will allow the victims to make the first steps towards recovery and re-building their lives, safe in the knowledge that Portch will remain in prison for a significant time and on his release will be continued to be monitored closely.

“Kent Police take very seriously any form of abuse of children.

"If anyone has suffered or is suffering from abuse and they wish to talk to an officer from the Child Abuse Unit on 01795 419320, we would like to assure them that they will be dealt with in a supportive and sensitive manner.”