A MAN who “genuinely thought he was having an adventure” abused young boys he met through a chat room.

Michael Alford encouraged two of the children to commit sex acts on themselves before sending photographs to him.

He had a stash of 26 images of one 14-year-old victim saved on his computer.

The defendant, 20, also made attempts to engage other youngsters in sexual activity, messaging them and asking for them to send him photographs, and encouraged one to pose naked on webcam.

The offences were committed when he lived at an address in Bournemouth.

Since his arrest, Alford, who now lives in Ashburton Avenue, Seven Kings, Essex, has moved out of the county to stay with family outside of Dorset.

A judge at Bournemouth Crown Court heard that a psychologist had discovered the defendant has learning difficulties, with a two-and-a-half year developmental delay.

It was said that he thought he was having an “adventure” and was “just playing” after feeling confused about his sexuality.

Alford – now in a relationship with a young woman – admitted arranging to have sex with a boy aged 14, inciting a boy to engage in sexual activity, possessing indecent images of a boy and five counts of inciting youngsters online to engage in sexual activity.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing nearly 500 indecent images of children downloaded from the internet, 291 of which were grade A, the most serious category.

But Judge Samuel Wiggs spared him a prison sentence after telling Alford that he didn’t believe he had groomed the boys.

“Obviously, it has been frightening for you to know there was a very strong possibility you might go to prison,” he said.

“These are very serious offences. I am sure you understand that. Anything to do with effectively encouraging young people – and people younger than yourself – to get involved in sexual activity while they are under the age of consent is always regarded very seriously by the public and the courts.”

Alford was sentenced to 18 months behind bars, suspended for two years.

He must participate in a programme for internet sex offenders, be subject to Sexual Offences Prevention Order that will last for five years and sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.