A Swindon man who was a known sex offender has been jailed for sending sexual messages to children from a fake online account.

Danny Gould, 27, of Whitehead Street, Swindon, was already on the Sex Offender's register when he set up fake accounts and joined teen chatrooms online.

From April 2 until May 9, 2024, Gould sent sexual messages to what he believed to be a 14-year-old child but was actually a police decoy.

Appearing at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, August 30, he was jailed for 18 months for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child, attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity and failing to comply with the sex offender register requirements.

He has also been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

"It is fortunate that the victim in this case was in fact a decoy, but this doesn’t make Gould’s offending any less serious," said Detective Constable Greenman.

"Gould admitted to posing as a pair of teenage siblings and embedding himself into a teen-based chatroom in order to afford himself access to one of the most vulnerable groups in our society.

"I’d ask any parent reading this – don’t shy away from learning more about what your children are doing online.

"Speak openly with your children and ask about the apps and social media they are using.

"Agencies such as Lucy Faithful Foundation, NCA-CEOP and Child Net are full of information and resources for parents and children on how to stay safe online."