Judge warns paedophile who abused children and had indecent images poses 'high risk' to children
A 'dangerous' paedophile who poses a 'high risk to children' has been locked up.
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Michael Cook, 24, was jailed at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to 12 sexual offences, which had taken place over a five-year period – some while he was already on police bail.
Judge Laura Hobson said she believed Cook met the description of a "dangerous offender", saying: "In my judgement there is a risk you will commit further offences against children."
The court heard Cook, from Harlescott, Shrewsbury, had admitted offences of physical abuse of a young child, possession of indecent images of children, and attempting to arrange a child sex offence.
Cook had first come to the attention of police in 2018.
Simon Parry, prosecuting, said that a mother, who was living in the north of England, had become concerned about who her 12-year-old daughter was speaking to on her phone.
She asked for the assistance of her brother who looked at the phone and found the girl had a Snapchat contact listed under the name 'boyfriend', with a message saying 'hey beautiful' signed off with a 'x'.
Pretending to be his niece, the uncle messaged the profile, which belonged to Cook, and asked if he wanted to meet up.