A convicted abuser of two Jewish boys was sent to jail for 10 years at the Old Bailey on Thursday, with a further six years on licence in view of the danger he poses.

Jair Philippe Klein, 55, used his position in the Jewish community to groom the boys more than a decade ago, one of whom was aged 10 to 11 at the time, the other 13 to 14.

Klein, who was living in Margate at the time of his arrest, was found guilty of five sexual offences against minors at Harrow Crown Court last month.

He will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for an indeterminate period.

Police launched an investigation after his victims got in touch in late 2019, saying they had been sexually abused in the UK, USA and France between 2010 and 2014.

They detailed how Klein had given them gifts and taken them on days out, including to a swimming pool where he would watch them undress. Once alone, he would abuse them.

DC Philip Maunders of the Metropolitan Police described Klein as “a master manipulator who groomed two children and their families to make them believe they could be trusted in his care.”

Harrow Crown Court was told that Klein had received a three-year jail sentence in Israel for a similar offence in 2014.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers said, “Klein abused the trust that had been placed in him by two young children. Whilst the offending started in Barnet, he followed them abroad where he continued to offend.

“I would like to praise the bravery of these men in coming forward and telling officers about what happened. Having pleaded not guilty, Klein forced them to recount their experiences in court. But again, they found the strength to speak out – ultimately leading to this conviction.

“I would also like to thank the authorities in the USA, France and Israel for assisting us with our investigation regarding matters overseas.”