A SEX offender with an interest in children tried to use contact underage girls using Facebook Messenger.

Benjamin Hollins, previously of New Street, Ledbury, admitted four counts of attempted sexual communication with a child when he was formally arraigned at Worcester Crown Court.

The 25-year-old, who now has a curfew address in Western Way, Gloucestershire, tried to communicate with four underage girls – who cannot be identified by law – 'for the purposes of obtaining sexual gratification'.

At the time of the offences he was aged 18 or over and 'did not reasonably believe the girls were aged 16 years or over'.

The first offence happened between March 3 and March 23 this year, the second on December 13 last year, the third between February 26 and March 3 this year and the fourth on March 24 this year.

The messages were described in the particulars of the offences, read out by the clerk in open court, as 'sexually inappropriate messages' sent via Facebook Messenger.

The case was prosecuted by Giles Nelson and the defendant was represented by Julia Needham, who both appeared remotely via a video messaging app, a measure adopted in some cases during the coronavirus pandemic.

Miss Needham said the starting point for any prison sentence was a maximum of two years. The court heard that Hollins had no previous convictions.

Judge James Burbidge QC, the Recorder of Worcester, adjourned the case until July 23 to allow the probation service to interview the defendant and prepare a pre-sentence report to assist the sentencing judge.

The judge said the fact he was granting bail and adjourning the case for Hollins to see a probation officer 'should not put into your mind that you will necessarily avoid a custodial sentence'.

Judge Burbidge told Hollins this would be a matter for the sentencing judge.

In the meantime he will be on an electronically monitored curfew and must live and sleep at Western Way in Dymock, Gloucestershire.

Judge Burbidge also told the defendant he must now sign the sex offender register and must tell police at the local police station within three days of the hearing that he is a convicted sex offender and inform them of his current address.

The length of time he remains on the register will depend on the sentence he ultimately receives.

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