A convicted sex offender has been jailed after using Snapchat to try and secretly groom a 13-year-old girl.

Sean Royle, from Maidstone, asked the victim to be his girlfriend and said he wanted to “kiss and hug her”.

Royle had previously received a suspended sentence in 2021, following convictions which included the possession of indecent images of children.

The sentence included a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which contained strict measures and restrictions involving his access to the internet.

He had to notify police of any devices he was using, such as phones and laptops.

The measures were also designed to safeguard children. They included requirements for Royle to notify police of any change in circumstances, such as a new address where he may be living or if he had any contact with children.

In July last year, checks established Royle was in a relationship with a woman with young children. He had not disclosed this and was arrested.

An investigation found a phone number linked to him, which was being used secretly to access social media accounts.

On September 1, Royle used a Snapchat profile to contact a child living outside of Kent.

He established the victim was only 13 and after revealing he was almost three times her age told her he wanted to kiss and hug her.

Royle, of Claremont Road, Maidstone, asked her to be his girlfriend and sent a picture showing his face and naked upper torso which had a distinctive tattoo.

The victim told her father who then contacted the police.

He was arrested again on November 29, when officers were able to locate and seize the phone he had been using.

When the device was analysed it was found to contain almost 200 illegal videos and images, many of which showed unknown children being sexually abused.

The 37-year-old was charged with multiple offences, including engaging in sexual communication with a child, failing to comply with notification requirements and repeated breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.

He was also charged with making indecent images of children.

Royle pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday (November 21) at Maidstone Crown Court to three years and eight months’ imprisonment.

He was also made the subject of a new 10-year SHPO.

PC Dan McNary said: “Royle had been given every opportunity to engage in rehabilitation and was subject to strict measures designed to reduce the risk of him reoffending.

“He has been unable to adhere to these restrictions and has demonstrated a clear determination to access the internet, in order to contact and abuse children.

“When we seized his phone, it was also clear Royle had been accessing material which showed some of the worst offences against children imaginable, with many young victims suffering appalling abuse.

“Sexual harm prevention orders such as these are passed by the courts to help protect children from harm and as this case shows, we will do everything we can to ensure those who ignore them face the consequences of their actions.”