A PAEDOPHILE jailed once again last week for breaching the terms of a sexual harm prevention order "targeted children for his own gratification", child welfare bosses say.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Christopher Greco, formerly of Bonington Close in Christchurch and now of HMP Winchester, used an alias to create a Facebook account in January this year. He attempted to 'friend' eight girls, some of whom were wearing their school uniforms in their profile pictures.

Greco, 33, had left prison just two weeks before. He was jailed for three years and three months in 2015 after admitting possessing indecent images of children, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two breaches of his sexual offenders prevention order (SOPO) and outraging public decency. The breaches relate to an order made in 2007 for another sexual offence.

As part of proceedings in 2015, Greco was also sentenced to an indefinite SHPO - an updated version of the SOPO.

On January 15 this year, the defendant was released from prison on licence. By January 30, he had established the social media account under the name Anthony Greco.

He has now been jailed for two years after admitting breaching the SHPO and failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register.

A spokesperson for the NSPCC said: “Children should be allowed to grow up and use social media without being targeted by predatory paedophiles like Greco.

“He has shown a disregard for the restrictions placed on him and targeted children for his own sexual gratification.

“Internet companies have a responsibility to keep children safe online and help prevent grooming.”

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free 24/7 on 0808 800 5000.