A sex offender who committed sexual offences against a child after grooming her through a text messaging app has been jailed.

Robert Barnes, 28, contacted a teenage girl from Sevenoaks by using WhatsApp and then enticed her to engage in sexual activity.

Barnes, ofFarhalls Crescent, Horsham, had met the victim through an acquaintance with connections to her family.

Between May and June 2014 he used the app to send her inappropriate images of himself and tried unsuccessfully to get her to do the same.

Barnes then used his previous home address in Nicolson Way, Sevenoaks, to commit sexual offences.

He was arrested at this address in June last year after concerns were reported to police.

During police interview Barnes refused to comment. Officers seized his mobile phone which contained evidence of messages he had sent to his victim, in order to groom her and commit further offences.

At Maidstone Crown Court Barnes denied all charges, but following a trial was found guilty by a jury.

He was convicted of three counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, two counts of intent to entice a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of grooming.

Today Barnes was sentenced to five years and six months in prison, and must sign on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Investigating officer, detective constable, David Turner,of Kent Police’s public protection unit, said: "Barnes has groomed his victim with the intention of committing sexual offences against her. He knew exactly what he was doing and has exploited a young and vulnerable person for his own gratification.

"He will now have plenty of time to reflect on his actions and I hope this sentence offers some comfort and reassurance to the victim and her family."