Paedophile caught by undercover PC jailed

David Mitchell was arrested at his house in February

A "dangerous sexual predator" who "openly stated a preference for victims as young as eight" has been jailed.

David Mitchell thought he was messaging somebody else with a sexual interest in children but was in fact speaking to a police officer.

The 57-year-old, of Leyland, Lancashire, was then arrested at his house on 17 February.

He was jailed at Preston Crown Court for six years after admitting attempting to cause or incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under 13.

During the online exchanges, Mitchell told how he wanted to witness the abuse of a child in exchange for payment through gift cards, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said.

'Deeply disturbing'

Det Con Tris Farley said following Friday's sentencing: "This case demonstrates the commitment of our regional units to identifying and prosecuting individuals who pose a serious threat to children.

"Mitchell's messages exposed a deeply disturbing and calculated intent to exploit children.

"He openly stated a preference for victims as young as eight years old and provided explicit instructions for what he wanted to witness online.

"He is a dangerous sexual predator who now finds himself behind bars."