A man has been sentenced after he sent sexual messages on social media to someone he thought he was a 13-year-old girl.

Carlton Lowe, 57, of Bolton Road, Westhoughton, contacted a Facebook profile he thought was a girl aged 13 in summer 2021.

Bolton Crown Court heard that Lowe went on to exchange messages over WhatsApp where sexual acts were discussed.

But the court heard that he was communicating with a decoy account and was reported to police.

He was later charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to cause or incite a girl between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity and pleaded guilty to both charges.

Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Martin Walsh, said: “You engaged in communication with that individual and communication became sexual.

“It’s clear from the report being heard in this case you have attempted to address a number of issues.”

Defence barrister Mathew Conway asked for Judge Walsh to consider that Lowe had no previous convictions, no harm was caused to anyone, and that Lowe expressed remorse.

Mr Conway said: “For 57 years he has had an unblemished record and there is a low risk of offending.

“He has expressed remorse of real and deep shame and embarrassment over his actions.

“The way in which he uses electronic devices will be constrained.

“He has engaged in voluntary counselling for which he has completed 18 sessions.”

In sentencing, Judge Walsh, said: “You are 57 years old with no previous convictions and this is often the case.

“You have engaged in voluntary counselling and are motivated to engage with your probation officer.

“There was no physical instance between you and a child.

“Furthermore, there was no evidence of meeting up to commit a sexual offence with a child.

“You have admitted culpability at the first opportunity.”

Lowe was handed a two-year sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to undertake 35 days rehabilitation with his probation service and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Lowe was also given a sexual harm prevention order and put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.