A MAN who made online sexual advances to what he believed to be a young teenage girl was snared by a police sting, said detectives.

John Fife, from Fell Close, Grange-over-Sands, was arrested following an undercover operation in which a police officer purported to be a 14-year-old girl on social networking site Badoo.

The 39-year-old admitted four counts of inciting a child into sexual activity and was jailed for three years at Carlisle Crown Court today (Thursday).

Temporary Detective Superintendent Rob O’Conner said: “We arrested Fife following a proactive operation which targets those who try to groom children.

“We undertake these operations to protect young people who use the internet and social media. I hope that Fife’s sentence acts as a deterrent to those who try to use the internet to engage in illegal sexual activity – we are watching, and we will take action.

“Cumbria is a safe place for children and young people to grow up, and we are committed to keeping it that way. We use a number of tactics to keep children safe, and bring those who seek to exploit young people to justice."

Between November 20 2014 and December 1 2014, Fife continuously messaged the ‘girl’ with explicit sexual content. He was arrested on December 2 2014 by officers from the Public Protection Unit.

“I would like to take this opportunity to urge parents to take some time to find out how to keep your children safe online," added T\DS O'Conner added. 

"These days it is common for children and young people to have access to a number of websites and social media apps, and it is of the utmost importance that parents take simple steps to keep their child safe."

For tips and information please visit www.cumbria.police.uk/onlinesafety.

Anyone with any concerns or suspicions around child sexual exploitation should call Cumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.