James Turner, 31, would groom the youngsters by befriending them and cuddling them before the abuse started.

Members of the public became suspicious of the amount of time the trader – a regular at Hailsham Friday market – was spending with children and called police.

Turner, of North Street, Waldron, near Heathfield, was convicted of three counts of sexual activity with a child and one of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child after a trial in March.
He later admitted two further charges relating to another boy and appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday for sentencing.

Elizabeth Smaller, prosecuting, told the court: 'He began to sexually abuse young boys he met. Police received a number of calls about him.'
Turner denied the abuse and was bailed pending his trial but was then arrested and charged with more offences.

Miss Smaller told the court the second set of allegations – admitted by Turner – related to another boy under the age of 18.

She said when the trader tried to coerce the boy to touch him, the youngster refused and later told his mother who alerted police.

Julian Dale, defending, told the court the market trader was heterosexual but had not been in a relationship for years and believed that may be the root of his problems.

He said: 'He presents as a perfectly normal person with heterosexual feelings and would like to have a long-term relationship with a woman.

'He says not having a partner was one of the things that led to this behaviour.'

In a letter read to the court written by Turner, he said: 'I accept I have an issue with this sort of behaviour and would like help with my problems.

'I didn't intend to injure any of these boys."

Turner will have to sign the sex offenders' register, which will hold his name for an indefinite period.

Orders were put in place banning him from having numerous forms of contact with youngsters under the age of 18, except for people in his own family when in the presence of an adult who is aware of his convictions.