A PENSIONER who made a sickening sex video aimed at a single mother and her child has been spared jail.

Anthony Arnold, 67, of Warwick Street, Barrow, had been encouraged to create the video by another man who set up fake online profiles to pose as his victim.

Arnold believed he was sending the video to the young mother - who he had previously been warned to stay away from.

But his defence lawyer Sharon Watson said he was ‘catfished’ into thinking he was speaking to the woman, who he knew.

The woman - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - was horrified when she learned about the video of Arnold, performing a sex act over a photograph of her and her child.

When the child’s father found out about the video, he contacted police and Arnold was arrested.

Arnold said he immediately regretted sending the film to the 'young mother'.

He admitted to making an obscene publication and was handed a nine month sentence, suspended for 18 months with 100 hours unpaid work and up to 10 days rehabilitation requirements when he appeared at Preston Crown Court.

Judge David Potter, sentencing, said: “At its heart these are the actions of a selfish man.

“You did not think through the consequences of your actions because you were acting selfishly.”

The court heard Arnold had previously been warned to stay away from the woman after sending her unwanted gifts and cards.

Judge Potter said: “You make it clear that at the time you made the obscene image you did not have any sexual interest in that young boy. This is an offence that is so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”