A PAEDOPHILE was arrested at a Hampshire service station after arranging to have sex with an 11-year-old girl.

Jeffrey Batty was arrested by police at Rownhams Service Station, on the M27.

He was on his way to meet another man who he believed was setting up the meeting with the girl.

The 50-year-old travelled more than 200 miles, from his home in Norfolk, for the meeting.

However unbeknown to Batty, he was actually talking to under cover police, who arrested him at the Rownhams Service Station on January 30.

He was also caught with a number of child abuse images on his phone.

Batty also was caught attempting to meet another child, aged eight, in August.

Appearing via video link at Southampton Crown Court, Batty, of Cromer Road, Stratton Strawless, pleaded guilty to 17 charges relating to sexual offending.

These included two charges of arranging to commission a child sex offence, seven counts of possessing indecent images and three counts of possessing pornographic extreme images.

He was also charged with one count of possession of a prohibited image, and four counts of distributing child images.

Batty’s sentencing was adjourned until January 22 to allow probation to prepare a report on whether Batty is deemed to be a “dangerous offender”.

He was remanded to HMP Norwich until his sentencing, which will take place over video link.

Recorder Simon Foster said: “You have pleaded guilty to 17 counts. I order a report about you. Pleas co-operate with that report.

“You will be sentenced on January 22, 2020.

“You are remanded to appear via video link to this court.”