AN NHS hospital employee travelled to Southampton to meet a teenage boy for sex.

Robin Hains was arrested in Shirley after travelling from Bognor Regis to meet a 13-year-old boy.

The 46-year-old arranged the meeting through a messaging platform and "bragged about the abuse" to another man, a court heard.

He was arrested by police shortly after arriving in the city on March 8.

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At the time, Hains was working for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust in a urology department.

Hains, of St Mary’s Close, Lavant, Chichester, appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to arranging to commit a sexual act upon a child and three offences relating to indecent images.

He had originally pleaded not guilty, but later changed his plea.

He was bailed to appear at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing on January 13.

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Detective Constable Colin Haynes, of the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “Thankfully no children were ever in danger during this investigation.

"Despite this, Hains clearly intended to meet and abuse a child, something he would have known is illegal, until he was stopped by officers as part of a SEROCU investigation, with assistance from Hampshire Constabulary.

“We work in partnership to safeguard children who may be vulnerable or at risk, to ensure those in society who pose the greatest harm to children by committing such offences are investigated and brought before the courts.”

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