A sexual deviant who propositioned a 13-year-old boy online was caught out as the child was actually an undercover officer.

Mathew Cowley, who already had a conviction for sexually abusing a school boy and was banned from communicating with under 16-year-olds, was undeterred.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that despite a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order hanging over him, Cowley contacted someone he believed to be a 13-year-old boy on August 5th of this year via a chatroom.

He claimed to be 29 years old before later stating he was 34 and asked the boy if he thought he was too old for him, detailing his sexual preferences. Cowley said, "I don't mind first-timers as long as it's a secret," stated Chris Hopkins, the prosecuting attorney.

The officer, reiterating that he was 13 and still in school, was met with the response, "So you are a virgin, that's better." The following day, Cowley initiated another online conversation, revealing his Kensington address and mobile number, transitioning the chat to WhatsApp. He described the boy as "fit as f**k" and expressed attraction.