Paedophile asked 15-year-old for sex on Snapchat

Jake McMahon-Bates was already subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order in November 2020

A sex offender who messaged a 15-year-old girl on Snapchat to ask her to have sex with him has been jailed.

Jake McMahon-Bates, 24, was arrested on suspicion of possessing and distributing indecent images of children on 1 May, Lancashire Police said.

Police found 59 indecent images of children - the youngest aged four - on electronic devices seized from his home on in Witton Parade, Blackburn.

Det Con Beth Turner said McMahon-Bates, who pleaded guilty to breaching a five-year sexual harm prevention order and was jailed for two years, had a "worrying sexual interest in children".

Police found McMahon-Bates had deleted his internet history, which he was banned from doing so under his 2020 sexual harm prevention order.

He admitted at a previous hearing at Preston Crown Court three counts of making indecent images of children, distributing indecent images of children and attempting to engage in a sexual communication with a child under 15.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching his order.

As well as his jail term, McMahon-Bates was handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

After sentencing, Det Con Turner said: "McMahon-Bates is a dangerous individual who has a worrying sexual interest in children and seeks out similar individuals."