'Social media predator' sent thousands of messages

Christian Sollitt was found guilty of 13 sexual offences against a child

A "perverted" man sent thousands of emails, voice and video calls to a girl before travelling to engage in sexual intercourse with her, Humberside Police said.

Christian Sollitt, 46, of Keighley, West Yorkshire, was described by the force as a "social media predator".

He was found guilty of 13 sexual offences against a child on Tuesday, following an 11-day trial at Grimsby Crown Court and has been remanded into custody for sentencing on 12 December at the same court.

Det Sgt Sacha Harvey, who led the investigation, said: "Sollitt denied knowing the age of the victim and, after accepting he finally knew her age, continued to try and contact her to declare his love and feelings to her."

Det Sgt Harvey added: "The child, who is now an adult, has waited patiently for this to be heard at court in order to protect others from him."

Sollitt was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of making indecent photographs of children, sexual communications with a child, meeting a child following grooming, possession of extreme pornographic images and possession of a prohibited image of a child.

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