Blackpool sex offender jailed after being snared by undercover cops posing as children online

John Kenny used online platforms to engage in "depraved sexual conversations" with people he thought were children, or the parents of children he wished to abuse, police said.

But the 30-year-old was subsequently arrested after he failed to realise he was actually taking to undercover law enforcement officers.

Kenny, 30, of Watson Road, Blackpool, admitted offences of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, attempting to cause a child to watch or look at an image of sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

He was jailed for four years with an extended licence of three years after appearing at Preston Crown Court last Thursday (April 1).

DC Wayne Marshall, of Lancashire Constabulary’s Mosovo team (Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders) said: "Kenny went onto these platforms with the sole purpose of engaging in depraved sexual conversations with people he thought were either children or parents of children he wished to abuse in the most sickening ways and the sentence he has been given reflects the gravity of his offending.

"Kenny is a dangerous man and I am satisfied that the jail sentence will help protect the public for some considerable time to come.

"Lancashire Constabulary and our partners in the region will continue to target those who seek to abuse children and to put them before the courts."

What signs are there that a child is being sexually exploited?

There are the signs you need to know, according to Lancashire Police:

- Has the young person received unexplained gifts or money?

- Do they use their mobile phone secretively?

- Do they have significantly older friends?

- Have they been picked up from home or school by someone you don't know?

- Are they associating with other young people who are already known to be vulnerable or involved in exploitation?

- Have they started playing truant from school or regularly going missing from home?

- Have they suffered from a STI?

- Are they self-harming?

-Has their appearance changed?

The force said they will continue to target, warn and prosecute offenders to hit home the message that this type of behaviour is not just unacceptable, it is criminal, and will pursue those people involved and bring them to justice, irrespective of their backgrounds.

You can find out more by visiting the Lancashire Police website by clicking HERE.

Support us and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.