A paedophile who sent a series of sexual messages to a child - leaving her unable to concentrate at school - was found with indecent photographs of a toddler on his phone.

Jason Mcauley left the girl with low self-esteem and struggling with her mental health after sending her a series of sexual messages.

He told her he was having fantasies and sexual dreams of her, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Despite being told he had "gone too far", the 45-year-old, of Ventnor Court, asked the girl to come to his house before sending yet more sexual messages.

He was caught when his victim blocked him and reported the incident to her friends and staff at her school.

READ MORE: Jailed Southampton paedophile 'does not accept jury verdict'

Police arrested him and seized a mobile phone, on which they found three indecent images of a toddler.

Mcauley was interviewed and told police he was embarrassed about the allegations but answered no comment to the questions.

He later pleaded guilty to making three Category C images of a child and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

In a statement read out in court, his victim said Mcauley's actions had a "huge impact" on her mental health" and "every aspect" of her life had suffered.

“My education has suffered because I have been unable to concentrate on anything else.

“It is extremely hard for me because of what you did. You’re not a man. No man would have done that.”

Southampton Crown CourtSouthampton Crown Court

Prosecutor Keely Harvey told the court how Mcauley had previously suggested he was “unaware of her age” and thought she was older.

But Recorder Ben Compton KC said he had “lapped up the attention”, adding: “These offences were committed for your own sexual gratification.

“You represent a risk to the public and in particular a risk to further children of sexual exploitation and grooming.”

He jailed Mcauley for 18 months and put in place an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting his victims.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order until further order and must comply with notification requirements for the next 10 years.

Jason Mcauley was jailed for 18 monthsJason Mcauley was jailed for 18 months (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

A deprivation order was made in relation to the phone.

Recorder Compton added that the victim had shown “enormous courage”, paying tribute to her evidence as “an act of extraordinary bravery”.

Mitigating, Chris Gaiger said the only mitigation “is the fact that he pleaded guilty”.

“He is completely ashamed, embarrassed and sorry for all those people that he has hurt”, he said.

“He is aware, as he was when he pleaded guilty, as to the serious nature of these allegations.”