Internet ban for Telford man who used Facebook to ask girl, 14, for sex

Dinnie Anderson, 47, of Shawfield, Sutton Hill, was also put on a sex offenders programme.

Shrewsbury Crown Court was told yesterday that Anderson had admitted inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.

Judge Peter Barrie gave Anderson, who had previous convictions for indecent exposure, a three-year supervision order and told him to attend a community sex offenders group work programme.

The judge told Anderson the work would help him understand his sexual urges and help control them.

Anderson also received a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting the victim and was given a five-year sexual offending prevention order banning him from using the internet and social media to contact girls under 16.

Mr Rob Edwards, prosecuting, said Anderson sent Facebook messages to the girl asking for sex on January 20 while he lived at an address in north Shropshire.

The girl did not reply and told her mother who contacted the police.

Mr Edwards said Anderson admitted the allegation at a previous court hearing on February 10 although he had initially denied to police that he had sent the sexual messages.

The court was read the girl's victim personal statement in which she said the offence had upset her and she had been left scared to go out in case she saw Anderson.

Mr Stephen Cadwaladr, for Anderson, said his client had agreed to follow the orders.

Judge Barrie told Anderson: "It may have felt like a playful message that you never seriously intended in carrying out but to a girl of 14 it can be very troubling to receive a message of that kind."

Anderson was also told to pay £120 court costs.