Man jailed for sending sexual messages to children

Andrew Cobb was jailed for more than six years for sending sexual messages to children

A man has been jailed for more than six-and-a-half years for 15 offences including making indecent images and sending sexual messages to a child.

Andrew Cobb, 54, from Bridgwater, Somerset, was found to be having "manipulative" conversations including requesting images with at least nine children.

Cobb committed similar offences in 2011 and had been ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years, which ended in 2021.

He admitted the charges at Taunton Crown Court on Friday and was sentenced to six years and seven months in jail and was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Avon and Somerset Police said Cobb "deliberately targeted vulnerable children".

The court heard he had been messaging someone online in April 2023 who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.

Cobb was arrested in June that year and several of his electronic devices were seized.

It was found he had initiated the conversations and incited a child to engage in sexual activity.

Det Con Benn Murphy said the case exposed the "calculated and relentless nature of Cobb's online child exploitation".

He added, Cobb "manipulated them for his own gratification".

Det Con Murphy said protecting children was one of Avon and Somerset Police's "absolute priorities".