Peterborough man sectioned after sex messages

15 April 2019, 12:50 | Updated: 15 April 2019, 12:52

A man from Peterborough who sent explicit photos to someone he believed was a teenage girl - has been detained indefinitely.

He had befriended the individual on Facebook and began sending her sexual messages in September 2017 but it turned out to be a man from Devon - who notified police when the 26 year-old attempted to meet his contact.

At Cambridge Crown Court this morning he's been detained under the Mental Health Act.

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A man from Peterborough who sent explicit photos and messages to someone he believed was a 13 year-old girl has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The 26 year-old befriended the 'girl' on Facebook and began sending her messages on 6 September 2017.

During the following three weeks the content of the messages became increasingly sexualised and included explicit photos of himself.

When he attempted to meet the girl, who was in fact a man from Devon, police were notified and evidence of the online activity provided.

He admitted attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

Today (11th April) at Cambridge Crown Court he was detained under sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act.

DC Zoe Slater:

"(The offender) sent these sexualised messages and pictures in the genuine belief that he was contacting a 13 year-old girl.

Thankfully, no children were actually involved in this case, but it is very concerning that his behaviour escalated to attempting to meet the girl.

Protecting the county's children is one of our top priorities. We are working hard every day to keep young people safe and bring sex offenders to justice."

Anyone who is concerned someone may have been convicted of a sex offence, and could be posing a risk to someone, can apply for disclosure information through Clare's Law and Sarah's Law.

More information on sexual offences and the Sex Offenders Register can be found on the force website here.