A FATHER-TO-BE believed he was sending sexually explicit messages to a 14-year-old girl - but the recipient was actually a female police officer.

Danny Cubitt, of Salterns Way in Poole, sent a string of "graphic" messages to 'Izzy' after he was contacted via Facebook.

On Friday, September 1, he appeared before a judge at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence after admitting attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He also admitted being in breach of a suspended sentence order for affray.

Prosecuting, James Kellam said: "[Cubitt] believed himself to be talking to someone who was 14.

"He was not.

"He was talking to an undercover police officer."

The officer told the defendant she was a child living in Honiton but visiting Weymouth with family.

"She made contact with the defendant on March 30 and he replied, 'Have I met you before?'," Mr Kellam said.

"[He asked] 'How old are you?'

"She said, '14, nearly 15'.

"There was a discussion about whether they had met or not. Very shortly after that, the defendant brought up talk of sex."

The undercover officer asked Cubitt if 'Izzy's' age bothered him. He replied: "No."

Over the course of the "fetishistic" messages, the defendant said he wanted to have sex with 'Izzy' and the two discussed meeting. However, no arrangements to meet were ever made, and in April Cubitt, 20, blocked her from messaging him.

He was arrested shortly after that.

Police made the decision to set up a fake profile based on information they had received about Cubitt, Mr Kellam said.

Tom Evans, mitigating, said the defendant has "significant mental health difficulties" including Asperger's, autism, ADHD, a moderate personality disorder and depression.

"At the time, he was in a particularly negative place," Mr Evans said.

"He accepts his behaviour was unacceptable and [says he is] 'disgusted with himself'."

Since the time of the offences, Cubitt has made "significant progress", the court heard. The defendant has secure accommodation with his now-fiancee, who is pregnant with their child.

He is also seeking support for his mental health.

Judge Adam Feest said there were "many very troubling aspects" of a pre-sentence report written by a probation officer, and called the defendant's conduct "explicit and prolonged".

"I must have at the forefront of my mind the protection of the public," he said.

"Were it just a case of punishment, I would be sending you to prison today.

"It seems to me that this would not achieve public protection."

Instead, he sentenced Cubitt to 12 months in prison suspended for two years. The defendant must also complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, plus a further five for the breach of his suspended sentence.

Cubitt must also comply with registration requirements, and he will be the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for a decade.

The defendant dabbed his eyes with a tissue as the judge told him: "This is your last chance.

"You have got, I hope, a bright family life ahead of you."