Foot gets a massage. (Fotolia.com)

MONTREAL - A man who gave gifts to four teenagers in exchange for letting him massage their feet has been branded a sex offender and sentenced to prison time.

Bruno Tremblay, 57, who is described as having "a preference for boys' feet," was sentenced Wednesday to 4 1/2 years in prison, minus the 18 months he's already spent behind bars.

In July, 2010, Tremblay " developed a friendship" with four boys aged 14 to 15, who lived in a group home for children, his lawyer said.

Tremblay, who befriended the boys when they were away from the youth centre, pleaded guilty to four of the nine counts against him, including touching a body part of a person under the age of 16 for sexual purposes.

He also pleaded guilty to breach of probation for being in contact with a minor except in the presence of a responsible adult.

Tremblay will be registered as a sex offender for life.