A MAN who communicated online with a 12-year-old girl for sexual purposes has been jailed.

Jamie Bennett, of Barnham, pleaded guilty to offences involving attempting to engage in sexual communications with a 12-year-old girl and encouraging her to commit a sexual act on herself.

The unemployed 44-year-old was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court.

Communications devices from his address were seized by the Sussex Police Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) officers in December 2019.

The devices revealed evidence of systematic contact between Bennett and the child, initiated by Bennett on an online messaging platform.

The prosecution, authorised by the CPS, followed an intelligence-led investigation by POLIT, working closely with the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU).

Bennett will be a registered sexual offender indefinitely and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to last until further court notice, severely restricting his access to digital communications devices and young people.

Sussex POLIT investigator Kayleigh Bartup said the prosecution followed an intelligence-led investigation, part of continuing police work to protect children from sexual exploitation.

“If you have been a victim of child sexual abuse, or have information about anyone else who has, please contact us either online or by calling 101,” she said.

“We will always follow up allegations of abuse, no matter when they occurred.

“Victims can talk in confidence to experienced Investigators and we can also help them get access to a range of other support services.”

For further advice about child sex exploitation and sources of support see the Sussex Police website.