Graham Manser, 37, was arrested at his family home after he sent a photo of his penis and asked the girl to send him naked videos.
Fortunately, the girl that Manser was messaging was actually a decoy posing as a young girl.
When Manser messaged the fictitious ‘girl’ in October last year she immediately told him “I’m 13 years old”.
Manser replied: “I bet you look cute”.
The dad-of-two sent grooming messages before making the conversation sexual and asking her to send him videos of herself committing a sex act, prosecutor Obi Mgbokwere said.
When he was arrested at his home Manser admitted he had been messaging someone who told him she was 13.
But he told police: “I thought she was lying and that she could have been 18.”
On Monday (March 4, 2024) Manser appeared at Woolwich Crown Court for sentencing.
Barrister Fiona Clegg, defending Manser, said these offences had been committed by Manser at a particularly low point around the anniversary of his adoptive father’s death.
Manser said he had “not been in the right state of mind”.
Judge Jonathan Mann QC sentenced Manser to two years and eight months in custody.
Manser will be subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order which restricts his internet use.
