A SOUTHAMPTON paedophile has been jailed for 13-months.

Southampton Paedophile Jailed for 13 Months

Adam Piggott, 31, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Friday for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child and attempting to meet a child for sexual activity.

Piggott, of Mansfield Park Street, used social media to message a 13-year-old girl called Molly between October 28 and November 7, 2019. He initiated the conversation using the name Martin – his middle name – and asked Molly what she was "into" and what she looked like.

Molly, who was actually a fictional profile created by an online police unit, sent Piggott a photo, which he described as "cute," and he then sent her a picture of himself. His messages became increasingly explicit and sexual.

During their conversations, Piggott asked Molly if she had been with an older man and offered to meet her while his girlfriend was at work. He also asked Molly not to tell anyone about their interactions.

Piggott arranged to meet Molly at McDonald's in Shirley High Street on November 7. He drove into and out of the restaurant's car park searching for Molly, but she was not there. He eventually pulled up in a cul-de-sac opposite the restaurant and was apprehended by officers.

In a police interview, Piggott admitted that he knew Molly was 13 years old and that he wanted to meet her for sex. He stated that he realized she was not real but couldn't explain why he had sent her messages.

The transcripts of their exchanges totaled 81 pages.

Defense barrister, Jamie Gammon, argued that Piggott was a man of good character with no previous convictions and that he had taken steps to address his offending behavior, including hypnotherapy. He also claimed that Piggott was "clearly a man with mental health problems."

Judge Henry sentenced Piggott to 13 months in prison for his "serious crimes" and imposed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.