A social worker sent sexual messages to teenage girls and offered to buy one alcohol in exchange for sex acts.

Thomas Weller used Snapchat to send a teenage girl repeated sexual messages, even after she told him she was a child.

Weller, 33, also accessed personal data through his job as a social worker for West Sussex County Council.

Further messages found after his arrest in March showed he was also speaking to another girl.

Police are continuing to investigate whether he has abused other young victims.

Weller, from Horsham, admitted two counts of sexual communications with a child on July 5 at Lewes Crown Court.

Read More: Armed police pin man to floor amid seafront incident

He also admitted misconduct in a public office on Wednesday, July 31.

Sussex Police Detective Chief Inspector Jon Gillings: “Thomas Weller abused his position of trust and responsibility and took advantage of vulnerable children.

“I would like to thank both the children involved and their families for reporting this to the police and supporting this investigation through to its conclusion.

“Thank you also to our partners in West Sussex County Council for their support and prompt action when Weller’s offending first came to light.

“Sussex Police is continuing to investigate whether Weller may have abused other victims. If you have any information that could help, please contact police online or via 101, quoting serial 297 of 31/07.”

Weller has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on July 27.