A Romsey man who repeatedly sent sexually explicit images to a child has been spared an immediate jail term.

Gareth Searle, 35, also arranged to meet the 13-year-old in Southampton despite being aware of their age.

He was arrested as he was travelling to the meeting on April 25. 

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, Searle, of Chambers Avenue, was jailed for 21 months, suspended for two years.  

He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for five years and notification for ten years.  

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Searle pleaded guilty at a previous hearing in September to arranging or facilitating an act which would involve a sexual act with a child under 13, and possession of a lock knife in a public place. 

A SEROCU spokesperson said: "Between April 20 and April 25 this year, Searle communicated with an individual who told him that they were 13-years-old.  

"Searle sent sexually explicit messages to them, including images, and arranged to meet them in Southampton. 

"Officers from SEROCU arrested Searle on April 25 as he was travelling to the meeting. They found a lock knife in his possession."

Detective Constable Ed Wiggans added: "Despite Searle being told the individual he was messaging was 13-years-old he repeatedly sent messages and pictures of a sexual nature. 

“This is unacceptable and SEROCU works hard to make sure offending of this kind is routed out.

“SEROCU is committed to preventing offenders working online to exploit and abuse children.  

“If you have any information that may help us to do this, please report it to your local force by calling 101 or via their website."