A Warrington man has been jailed for trying to send indecent images and a video to a 14-year-old girl after being exposed by child abuse activists at his home.
Matthew White sent indecent images and a video of himself to someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.
White, aged 32, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He also admitted attempting to cause a child to watch sexual activity.
He was jailed for 12 months at Chester Crown Court on Friday 3 August and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.
White started communicating with someone who told him they were a 14-year-old girl via a social networking site on Saturday 16 June.
After sending the indecent images and video White was confronted by online child abuse activists at his home on Thursday 28 June.
White admitted sending indecent images to one of the activists, despite them telling him that they were only 14, and he was subsequently arrested and charged.
Following his sentencing, when White was also ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge, Detective Constable Jo McDonough, of Warrington’s Local Policing Unit, said: “We are committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who prey on vulnerable children using social media and messaging apps.
“Although there was no actual victim in this case, there is no going away from the fact that White tried to send indecent images and a video to a 14-year-old girl.
“Thankfully he is now behind bars and can no longer pose a threat to young girls.”
