A MAN who made plans to sexually abuse a nine-year-old child has been jailed after an undercover police sting.

Stephen Biles, 61, thought he was speaking to someone who would arrange for him to abuse the girl in a hotel, but was actually communicating with a police officer.

The undercover investigation between January and March 2020 discussed a decoy child, who did not exist.

On April 1, 2020, Biles was arrested at his home in Riverside, Ringwood, with devices seized containing 52 category C indecent images of children.

Work by the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) allowed further investigation by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team (ICAT).

Biles was charged with making indecent images of children and two counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

He pleaded guilty to the indecent images but maintained his innocence on the other two charges.

However, after a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court on September 4 this year, Biles was found guilty.

On September 27, at Southampton Crown Court, Biles was jailed for three years and nine months.

He was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

The judge said the investigation uncovered a “prolonged torrid exchange of messages over a period of time”.

They added Biles “couldn’t let the prospect of meeting a child go”.

Following the sentencing, PC Gemma Southcott, from ICAT, said: “This was a lengthy investigation utilising specialist tactics to target a man posing a very clear risk to children.

“In spite of the overwhelming evidence gathered against Biles, he still maintained his innocence. This only prolonged his inevitable conviction, with the jury taking just one hour to reach their verdicts.

“ICAT are a specialist team dedicated to targeting those who use the perceived anonymity of the internet to cause serious harm to children. It is challenging work and the investigations can be lengthy and complex, but we are committed to removing dangerous people from the streets.”

NEROCU Op Lead, detective inspector Allen Hull, said: “This has been a great example of police partnership at its best. Coming together using a holistic approach to put a dangerous predator behind bars.

“We will continue to do all we can to protect children from harm whether that be in-person or online along with our police colleagues across the country.

“If any child or young person is concerned about someone they’re speaking to online, please tell someone about it or report it directly to the police.”