A vile child sex predator – who targeted two schoolgirls – was once convicted for plotting to murder his teenage wife.

Sick Ernest Pennington was jailed for 15 years in 1992 for conspiracy to murder – but later released and moved to Thanet.

Twenty years later he was convicted of three offences of indecent assaults on a child under 14 years old.

But a judge has heard how two families trusted the 82-year-old – and he repaid them by sexually abusing two more children.

Now Pennington, of High Street, Margate has been given a 12-year extended jail sentence after admitting FIVE sex offences.

Judge William Kennedy told him: “Time and time again you breached the trust of your victims and even groomed one of them to enable you to deal with her in the way you did.

“That girl is now isolated, confused and horrified by what you did to her.”

The judge continued: “Even a language as wide and as generous as ours struggles to convey the contempt and disgust towards those who steal a child’s innocence.

"Childhood should be a wonderful, timeless experience but for these two children, you ruined it!" - Judge William Kennedy, to Pennington

“Childhood should be a wonderful, timeless experience but for these two children, you ruined it!”

Prosecutor Simon Taylor told Canterbury Crown Court how Pennington had even used latex gloves during some of the attacks and on one occasion he produced a sex aid and a condom.

A second victim was lured into a kitchen on the pretext of getting food but was sexually assaulted.

The girls told their parents and Pennington was arrested and later admitted the five charges.

His barrister Tom Dunn told the court: “Because of his age he is not looking for decades more of life.

“He has admitted he has problems and that he finds children sexually attractive. He knows that is wholly inappropriate and has caused these girl real harm and wishes to apologise.”

But the judge told the pensioner – who needed a hearing aid to listen to the case – “Whatever happens to you in the years to come, I hope that you will sit quietly and think of the terrible damage that you have done to them.”

He ruled that Pennington had to serve at least two-thirds of the EIGHT year jail sentence before he can be even considered for parole.

And after his release he will then be on licence for another four years.

The judge said he will only be freed when the authorities consider he is no longer a threat to children.

As he was being led away, Pennington stopped, turned and glared at the judge - but remained silent before being taken to the cells.

After sentencing, PC Sam Culpin said: "Pennington is on the surface a very credible individual who won the trust of the victims and their families, gaining himself access to children.

"He has then abused the friendship extended to him in the most unpleasant and upsetting manner.

"The victims, supported by their families, showed great bravery and maturity in reporting this to police and helping to put this dangerous offender out of harm’s way."

An NSPCC spokesman said: “This is a truly distressing case. Ernest Pennington preyed on vulnerable young girls for his own sexual gratification. He has shown as little regard for his victims as he does for the law.

“His actions have robbed his victims of their childhood.

“It’s vitally important that abuse victims come forward and report what has happened so that they can get the help they may need and so that abusers can be brought to justice.

“Adults with any issues or concerns can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children and young people can call ChildLine on 0800 1111, or get help online at www.childline.org.uk.”