A CHEF who sexually assaulted an 11-year-old boy has been jailed for three years.

Robert Kirby, of Southchurch Road, Southend, molested the youth twice in 2015 at two different locations.

During a trial at Basildon Crown Court last month, a jury heard the 25-year-old was drunk when he carried out the attacks.

The lad told his parents about one of the assaults when they questioned him after hearing rumours about Kirby.

The youngster was worried about what would happen to Kirby and only told them about the second assault a few weeks later.

Kirby denied the accusations when interviewed by police, but admitted it was “possible” something happened when he was drunk.

He was found guilty and was criticised by Judge John Lodge for his refusal to admit what he had done.

Rebecca Randall, mitigating, said Kirby has now lost his job at the Slug and Lettuce in Southend and has been disowned by his friends and even his brother.

She said: “He is realistic about what is going to happen today and he has come prepared for that eventuality.

“I have had discussions with him today and he has moved on from that stance of non-acceptance. It is a very difficult thing to come to terms with on a personal level and living in the close community that Mr Kirby resided in at the time.

“He does accept full responsibility and he accepts that he needs some help and hopefully he will receive that help even in a custodial environment.”

Miss Randall said that in addition to losing his friends and his job, Kirby was turfed out by his landlord after being convicted and is currently homeless.

The court heard that Kirby has no previous convictions.

Judge Lodge, sentencing Kirby to three years for each count, to run concurrently, said: “These offences are so serious that only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate.

“It is a case where you took advantage of a young boy.”

Family members of the boy cheered and applauded when the sentence was passed, prompting a warning from the judge.

Kirby was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.