A NATIONAL charity is calling on social media regulation in light of a Hampshire paedophile’s “predatory behaviour”.
Jeffrey Tall was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
The 49-year-old had sent explicit messages via social media to a “12-year-old-girl” called Lucy White last April.
Little did he know she was not real and he had been speaking to a decoy account set up to snare paedophiles.
Tall of Aspen Close, Hedge End was also caught with thousands of indecent images of children.
Commenting on the case a spokesperson from the NSPCC said: “Tall’s predatory behaviour highlights the appalling dangers facing children and young people in the online world every day.
“This case underlines our urgent calls for the Government to commit to their Online Harms Bill this Autumn. This legislation would enshrine in law an effective regulator with the authority to hold tech companies to account and help prevent offenders from trying to target, groom and abuse children online.”
Tall appeared before Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday where he was sentenced with attempting to cause or incite a female child under 13-years-old to engage in sexual activity and with possessing indecent images of a child. He previously pleaded guilty.
He must also complete a 60-day sexual offenders programme. He is subject to a two-year sexual harm prevention order and a four-month curfew.
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