A PAEDOPHILE who said he wanted to abduct and abuse a nine-year-old girl has been jailed.

Christopher Anthony Greco, of Bonington Close in Christchurch, admitted one count of possessing indecent images of children, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two breaches of his sexual offenders prevention order and outraging public decency.

On Thursday, a judge at Dorchester Crown Court heard Greco had online conversations with a girl he believed to be 15, but was in fact younger.

Christopher Stoppa, prosecuting, said there were exchanges between the defendant and the child discussing sexual activity.

Greco had also used an app on his phone to take a photograph underneath a child's skirt while on a bus.

Barry Kogan, mitigating, said Greco was "deeply ashamed" and "disgusted" with himself, but had assumed the girl online was 15 and said he had never intended to meet her, with no contact details being exchanged.

He added: “(Greco) recognises that he has problems and is desperate to get help to overcome these problems as soon as possible.”

Judge Brian Forster QC said conversations Greco had with the child contained "extreme language", adding that he believed Greco posed a "significant risk" to the public.

The defendant was sentenced to three years and three months in custody, after which he will spend three years and nine months under supervision.

He has also been made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be registered as a sex offender.

The defendant, 31, was arrested in Christchurch on Wednesday, October 15 last year, and charged with the offences just over a month later.

Detective Constable Paul Chessell, of Dorset Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said: “Greco posed a threat to members of the public and it is right that he received this sentence.

“These are sickening offences which we investigated extensively to bring him to justice.

“This jail term is a warning to anyone involved in downloading indecent images of children.

“We will track you, we will arrest you and you will be brought to justice.

“I also urge those abusing children to seek professional help from either their GP or another professional organisation such as Stop it Now! of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.

“Targeting criminals in cyber space and safeguarding children from serious harm remains a priority for Dorset Police.”

The Paedophile Online Investigation Team can be contacted on 101. In an emergency always dial 999.