'Professional' Sunderland man told '12-year-old girl' of his sexual excitement
A Sunderland man told a police decoy he believed was a 12-year-old girl of his sexual excitement in online messages which led to his arrest.
Pranav Prasannan, 32, of Gray Road, Hendon, sent several messages to the undercover officer between June 3 and July 14 of last year.
And, when police seized his mobile, they found seven indecent images of children at the lowest category C level.
Prasannan has now been ordered to stay away from children as part of his bail conditions and issued with an interim sexual harm prevention order.
Prosecutor George Johnston told magistrates in South Tyneside: “The offences took place primarily in respect of two social media sites, Kick and Telegram.
“It was, effectively, a police decoy contact. The contact told the defendant they were a 12-year-old and asked if it was ok if they continued corresponding.
Mr Johnston continued: “Police attended his home and seized a Samsung mobile phone. They were able to identify the chat logs and they retrieved seven photos.”
Prasannan, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
He also admitted making an indecent photo or pseudo-photo of a child between June 18 and July 14 of last year.
Duncan Emmerson, defending, said: “This gentleman has no previous convictions and works in a professional capacity.
“I think the court needs to know a bit more about him and see what Probation would recommend.”
Prasannan will be sentenced at the same court on November 24.
His bail conditions include not have contact with a child aged under 18 unless with the permission of their parent and social services.