A sex offender has been jailed for five years after sending a child obscene messages and paying them for sexual services.

Jake Crawley, of Granville Road in Sheerness, committed multiple online sex offences after contacting a 15-year-old on social media.

Between November and December 2022, Crawley sent the child inappropriate texts as well as gifts, including money and a bottle of alcohol, despite knowing the recipient was underage.

Police were notified of the offences on December 28, 2022, and, following initial enquiries, officers executed a search warrant at Crawley’s home on January, 4, this year.

Detectives seized a mobile phone containing photos and videos of the victim, as well as chat logs from social media apps.

They also recovered packaging and order forms for the gifts he had sent.

Crawley was arrested and taken into custody where he was later charged with sexual offences, including two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, paying for the sexual services of a child, and sexual communications with a child.

The 26-year-old was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, July 14, after pleading guilty to all charges.

Crawley was jailed for five years and is subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

He was also added to the sex offenders’ register for life.

“He took complete advantage of the child, demonstrating a total lack of care for their emotional, mental, psychological, and physical well-being...”

Investigating officer Detective Constable Mel Ling said: “Crawley instigated obscene conversations with the victim for his own sexual gratification, all the while knowing that they were underage.

“He took complete advantage of the child, demonstrating a total lack of care for their emotional, mental, psychological, and physical well-being.

“His behaviour will leave a lasting impact on the victim, and I hope that his imprisonment will bring the child and their family some comfort.

“Kent Police will continue to track down those who seek to abuse young victims and bring them to justice for their heinous crimes.”