A SOUTHAMPTON man has avoided jail after sending explicit online messages to what he thought was a 13-year-old girl. 

Jordan Cavie appeared at Southampton Crown Court today after he sent messages on an online chat platform. 

The court heard how the 28-year-old of International Way had sent explicit messages to a profile that he thought belonged to a 13-year-old girl. 

He was arrested at an address in Middle Road on November 17, 2019 after the offence between September 16 and 19 of that year. 

He later pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. 

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Cavie was handed an 18-month sentence, suspended for 21 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, attend 40 days of rehabilitation activity requirement, attend an accredited sexual offender programme and barred from working with children. 

He was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order for a period of 10 years and required to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years too. 

He is required to pay court costs of £1,000.

The conviction came after an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary with the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).

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DC Angela Smith-Jones from HIOWC’s Internet Child Abuse Team, said: “Despite the messages making clear the girl was underage, Cavie continued to send sexual content.

"In a day and age where social media is so prevalent in young people’s lives, and the ease in which messages can be sent by people unknown to them, it is incredibly important that we, as the police, are in a position to investigate if we believe that criminal offences have taken place during these exchanges. 

“Throughout the investigation, we have worked closely with SEROCU in order to develop evidence against an individual who had every intention of meeting who they believed to be a child in order to commit sexual offences against them. 

“Our teams are committed and will continue to work hard to ensure that children across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are not exposed to sexual predators or violence.”

Detective Constable Colin Haynes, of SEROCU, added that no real children were in danger however Cavie committed a "serious offence".

If you’re worried about a child’s behaviour, either in the real world or online, or even if you're unsure - you can speak to trained professionals who may be able to support you; as they might be at risk of child sexual exploitation.

Remind the child that even though people they’ve met online might feel like friends they may not be who they say they are. It is always worth considering reviewing what apps they are using and the parental controls and privacy settings on devices, mobile apps and social media networks that they may use too. 

If you think a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is the only UK wide charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse.

For anonymous support and advice, use the Stop It Now! helpline on 0808 1000 900 or visit https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/helpline/ to find out more.

For more information about keeping your children safe online, and to be signposted to other organisations who can help, visit our website here: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/online-child-abuse/