Gary Jefferis was jailed for four years at Wolverhampton Crown Court after he admitted sending messages online in November last year.

Jefferis, 65, used online chat platforms to send explicit messages, asking the age of the girl he was speaking to.

When he was told he was speaking to a 12-year-old, he said that wasn’t an issue.

Over the course of the messages, Jefferis repeatedly asked to meet the girl and sent sexual messages and photos.

Jefferis arranged to meet the girl at Sandwell and Dudley train station with the intention of having sex.

When Jefferis arrived at the station, however, he was arrested by officers.

In interview, Jefferis said he hadn’t intended to go through with his plan and that he was not really interested in girls.

Despite this, the extensive record of messages he had sent showed his intentions.

Jefferis, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison on 14 March this year.

He was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Children can become victims of abuse on the internet through online games, social networking sites and apps such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, which they can access through devices including tablets, mobile phones and games consoles.

If you think your child or a child you know might be being targeted in this way, visit our website to find out more: Online child abuse | West Midlands Police