A MAN who tried to befriend a 14-year-old girl on Facebook and sent her sexual messages has been sentenced to a two year community order.
Steven Best, aged 49, pleaded guilty to having sexual communication with a child.
At Bolton Crown Court Andrew Mackintosh, prosecuting, told how Best, of Berne Avenue, Horwich, had spotted the girl on the social media site and sent her a friend request, which she deleted.
The following day, on February 2, he sent her another request, containing sexual messages, but she replied: "You look about 100. I only go for 60 year olds." She then told her mother, police were informed and Best was arrested.
Stephen Teasdale, defending, told Judge Richard Gioserano that Best, who has cognitive difficulties, is remorseful.
He said: "He accepts that when he sent the message he got sexual gratification. He has some understanding that what he did was wrong."
As part of his community order Best must participate in 35 days of rehabilitation activities. He was placed on the sex offenders' register and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
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