A PERVERT who posed as a lower league footballer in an attempt to groom a 14-year-old girl has avoided being sent to prison.

Mark Andrew Hampson, 45, told the youngster he earned £2,000 a week playing for League One side Doncaster Rovers before repeatedly asking her what colour her underwear was, the court was told.

But when Hampson travelled to Bolton to meet up with the under-age teen, who he knew only by her Facebook profile name of Mia, he was arrested by Greater Manchester Police.

At Bolton Crown Court, prosecutor Rachael Woods said officers had established a fake social media profile, with details explicitly making clear the 'girl' associated with the page was aged 14.

Hampson, of Balby Road, Doncaster, sent 'Mia' a friend request in November 2019 and was soon messaging the 'girl', she told the court.

One of the first questions he asked was what colour her underwear was. She did not reply but told him she was aged 14. He then asked if he could see her legs.

Ms Woods said: "He said he was a football player for Doncaster, earning around £2,000 a week from playing."

Hampson sent a photo of himself and requested a picture of the girl's legs, the court heard, but she declined.

The court was told he then sent her two indecent photos, made obscene suggestions and urged her to behave indecently.

Another online conversation took place a couple of days later, when 'Mia' was said to have just returned home from school.

Ms Woods said Hampson told 'the girl' he was naked before sending her more indecent photos.

Hampson later sent 'Mia' pictures of other people having sex, the court heard. This was followed by similar messages on November 30.

Mark Friend, defending, said it was accepted the online conversations did not portray his client in "an appealing light".

But Mr Friend told the court the defendant, who had been drinking heavily around the time of the incidents, had not offended since November 2019.

The court heard Hampson had been serving soldier in Bosnia and insisted he had never received any counselling for the "traumatic and horrific" experiences he encountered there.

Judge Graeme Smith handed Hampson a nine month sentence suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

He will also be made the subject of a ten year sexual harm prevention order and will have to sign the sex offenders' register for the same period.