A paedophile has avoided jail for sending sexually explicit messages to an undercover police officer he thought was a 12-year-old girl.

Father-of-three Graham Roberts downloaded a messaging app in March last year because “he found himself with too much time on his hands”, a court heard.

The defendant messaged an account on the app – which Recorder Richard Conley described as a “tool of the trade for predatory paedophiles” – in March and April last year.

Confession – Graham admitted one charge of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in penetrative activityRoberts admitted one charge of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Although the conversation was initially “mundane”, the messages became suggestive and Roberts, 55, discussed sexual activity with the decoy.

Police attended Roberts’ address in Ash Road, Alresford, near Colchester, in June last year and he attended a voluntary interview.

Roberts denied responsibility for the messages and could not account for the photographs he sent her and later denied one charge of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He later admitted the offence. 

Ipswich Crown Court heard on Monday how Roberts – who was accompanied in court by his sister and partner – continued messaging the account even after being told the fictional girl was only 12.

He wrote other messages such as “If your parents see this, I could be arrested” and “I could be classed as a paedophile”.

Addressing Jennifer Dannhauser, mitigating, Recorder Conley said: “Why did he not admit this earlier than he did?

“I don’t understand what he was doing in this world at all – he didn’t end up... communicating with young girls by accident.”

Addressing the defendant, he said: "Children need protecting from paedophiles, and I'm afraid whilst it's an ugly label to have to wear, that is what the court must treat you as for these purposes."

Messages – Graham Roberts engaged in sexually explicit conversations with what he thought was a 12-year-old girlRoberts engaged in sexually explicit conversations with what he thought was a 12-year-old girl (Image: Newsquest)

Mrs Dannhauser said Roberts had "found himself with too much time on his hands”.

Roberts was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years and must complete 25 rehabilitation days and 180 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay costs of £687 and sign a sexual prevention order lasting 10 years.