A sex offender defied a court order six times by infiltrating a church group, two schools and a kick-boxing club to gain access to children.

Simon Clancy acted as a doorman for an international dance event at Hallow CE Primary School, Hallow, near Worcester, and took photographs of pupils.

He also provided door staff for a prom at St Mary’s Convent School in Worcester. He contacted a boy he met at a church pilgrimage by phone and text and “took a shine” to two boys at the Pershore Club, Worcester Crown Court was told. Police found the boys’ pictures in his possession.

His behaviour breached a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) – made by south Worcestershire magistrates in 2005 – banning him from contact with children under 16.

Jailing 34-year-old Clancy, of Humber Road, Ronks-wood, Worcester, for two years, Judge Toby Hooper QC said he had “infiltrated the social, recreational and spiritual lives of others” with the intention of grooming youngsters.

He said a pre-sentence report assessed him as posing a high risk in the future and he needed to protect children.

Clancy, who works in the drinks industry, admitted six offences of breaching a SOPO, handed out after three convictions for indecent assault.

One conviction was in May 1993 for an attack on a boy under 14, the others in February 1995 for assaults on a girl under 16, said Paul Mytton, prosecuting.

Clancy went to the school in Hallow in February 2008 after becoming friendly with a parent.

He took pictures of the boy he met at the church pilgrimage when he was 11 and 14 and gave him golf balls and pens as presents.

The manager of the kickboxing club had concerns about Clancy’s motive for joining, said Mr Mytton.

The two boys from the club told police the defendant became really friendly with them.

Clancy never told the head of the Worcester school that he had a criminal record or was under a court order, but attended three prom events.

He admitted to police he had been foolish but insisted taking photographs of children was an innocent action.

Nick Roberts, defending, said although they were persistent breaches, minimal contact with children had led to no physical or psychological harm.

He said Clancy, a licensed doorman before his convictions, had acted in the open and had not gone underground.