A COURT custody officer, who lived in Liphook, has been jailed for two and a half years after admitting a string of child-sex offences.
Anthony Walsh (36) regularly abused two young girls after promising to give them money and sweets.
A court heard that former soldier Walsh was serving as a special constable with Surrey police when he first abused a child.
He later became a custody officer at Guildford Crown Court, where he dealt with prisoners, including fellow paedophiles.
He was only arrested when one of his victims told a friend how he had assaulted her.
Walsh, of The Mead, Liphook, admitted three counts of indecent assault and two of gross indecency at Winchester Crown Court.
Judge Timothy King told him: "You have undertaken duties of value to the community, not least as a special constable and detention officer.
"But I take the view that these offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified."
Walsh was also ordered to stay on the sex offenders' register for life.