A MAN has appeared in court as part of a countywide investigation into child sexual abuse.

Police officers arrested a man in Mayland on Wednesday, January 29.

Lee Bergstrom, of Nipsells Chase, was charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

He admitted the offences when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 30.

Bergstrom, 31, is due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on February 27.

Police officers from the Management of Sex Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) team carried out a series of separate warrants and searches following information relating to allegations of adults communicating with children online.

A 34-year-old man was arrested in Manchester on Tuesday, January 28.

Lee Smith, of Hastings Road, Southend, has been charged with failing to comply with the requirements of the sex offenders’ register, two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order, and two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

He is next due to appear for a pre-trial preparation hearing at Basildon Crown Court on February 26.

Then, on Friday, January 31, officers executed a warrant in Harwich.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and failing to comply with the requirements of the sex offenders’ register.

He has since been released under investigation.

Det Chief Insp Hayley King, from the Public Protection Unit, said: “MOSOVO is one of a number of teams helping to protect people from harm.

“The work they do is really important but, due to its nature, often takes place away from the public eye.

“The officers are diligent, meticulous, and dedicated in what are often challenging circumstances.

“It’s just another way we’re protecting Essex.”