A MAN sent a video of himself performing a sex act before attempting to meet a "girl" with alcohol and condoms.

Simon Hammerton, 32, of Auburn Avenue in Hyde, has been jailed for five years and four months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court today.

He had pleaded guilty to five counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child; two counts of attempting to cause a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity; attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming; and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

Back in July, Hammerton arrived at Ashton bus station after arranging to meet who he thought was an 11-year-old girl he had spoken to online.

But it was revealed to him he had been talking to an adult posing as the underage girl, and he was placed under citizen's arrest.

Police who later arrested and searched Hammerton found he was carrying a bag containing alcohol, plus a packet of condoms.

Further investigation, including the seizure of his laptops and mobile phones, discovered Hammerton had been speaking to multiple other "girls", including two from Leicestershire and Southampton he believed to be 12-years- old.

He told these "girls" he wanted to kiss them, and encouraged one of them to send photos in their underwear and school uniform.

Hammerton sent photos and videos of his own to other "girls", including a disturbing one in which he performed a sex act.

He tried to persuade the recipient of this video, who he thought was another 11-year-old girl, to send him one in return.

Detective Constable Sue Masheter of the Phoenix Tameside Child Sexual Exploitation Team said: "Child Sexual Exploitation takes place in many forms and in this case Hammerton engaged in online communications with who he believed were very young children, not sparing any thought for the lasting damage his actions could have.

"Unknown to Hammerton, the 'children' he thought he was communicating with were actually adults and thankfully we've now been able to remove a dangerous individual from our community and ensure that he's not able to inflict any further abuse."