Predator Philip Lane, who has previous similar offences, was jailed for four years after attempting to incite a girl under 13 into sexual activity.

Lane, 56, of Huntwick Drive, Featherstone, targeted a Facebook profile which was actually being run by an online hunter group called London Overwatch. He spent five days chatting with the 'girl' at the end of July, asking her questions and making inappropriate comments.

He told her he was "old enough to be her grandfather" and could "get done" for talking to her. He also sent her a photo of his genitals and described what he wanted to do to her.

Lane was confronted by paedophile hunters who livestreamed the meeting, and he was subsequently arrested. He tried to hide his phone but later admitted to the charge of attempting to incite a girl under 13 into sexual activity.

He has seven convictions for 38 offences, including sexual offences with children over the internet, and was already on the sex offender register for life.

Judge Andrew Stubbs KC sentenced Lane to four years in prison, stating that he was a "cliché" for this type of offending and that his previous convictions made his actions more serious.

Lane's lawyer, Anastasis Tasou, conceded that there was little to say on his behalf except that he "had the good sense to plead guilty as early as he could." Tasou added that Lane "struggles to explain his behaviour" and lives a solitary life. Lane expressed remorse for his actions.