A pervert travelled 250 miles to Sittingbourne believing he would be able to sexually abuse a five-year-old girl, a court heard.

But John Clarke was arrested soon after he arrived at the railway station, having been caught out by a police sting.

The 35-year-old convicted sex offender had been in regular contact with a woman he believed was the mother of his intended victim.

Clarke, who lived in Manchester, started contact with the undercover officer in mid-September last year. He sent a number of indecent images of children to the officer.

"He said he liked little girls from four to women of 50. He liked trading pictures and videos of young girls and chatting about sex" - prosecutor Ian Foinette

“He said he liked little girls from four to women of 50,” prosecutor Ian Foinette told Maidstone Crown Court. “He liked trading pictures and videos of young girls and chatting about sex.”

He sent one message saying: “I would like your little girl and you together. I would love to see you both naked.”

Clarke sent 10 images, one of which was of child sex abuse in the highest category and two movie clips of the same level of seriousness.

He sent more images and declared he wanted to meet up and show her little girl a good time.

He provided access to dropbox and cloud storage for the “mother” to view more obscene material.

Clarke said he would travel to Sittingbourne on December 3 and stay for three days.

Mr Foinette said Clarke indicated he had cancelled a job centre appointment he had in Manchester on December 3.

He duly arrived by train that afternoon. The officer met him outside the station and they walked to a nearby supermarket, where he was arrested.

When interviewed, Clarke admitted having a sexual interest in girls aged “four and a bit older”.

Clarke appeared for sentenced without legal representation. He told Judge Jeremy Carey: “I just want to know how long you are going to give me.”

After he was given a suspended sentence for sexually assaulting a child in 2010 he was given sex offender treatment.

“I was sitting in a room with eight paedophiles and a rapist,” he said. “It must do something to you. I am not a prolific law breaker.”

Judge Carey adjourned sentence until February 18 for an assessment on dangerousness.