Simon Biss, a convicted sex offender, has been jailed for a third time for attempting to groom a child over the internet.

The 41-year-old sent sexually explicit messages via Snapchat to a fake profile, which was being operated by police, pretending to be a 12-year-old girl named Emily.

Biss, of North Ripley, Bransgore, sent messages to Emily calling her "gorgeous" and asking if she would "date much older men". He even asked for pictures of her body.

Emily responded to Biss's messages, stating she was based in Scarborough. Biss then told her, "I don't care that you're young," and "I could come to you."

Police were able to determine that the profile communicating with Emily was linked to Biss. They arrested him at his home.

During an interview, Biss refused to comment on his conversations with Emily.

Biss appeared before Southampton Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to attempting to cause or incite a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual communication with a child, and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

These offenses occurred between September and October 2020.

Biss has a history of sexual grooming, having previously been jailed for 18 months in 2006 and 32 months in 2010 for similar offenses.

Despite his history, Biss's defense lawyer argued that there was still a possibility of rehabilitation in the community.

Judge Christopher Parker QC sentenced Biss to 32 months in prison, stating that he poses a significant risk of serious harm to young children.

Biss will be eligible for release after serving two-thirds of his sentence and will then be subject to an eight-year extended licence.

He has also been issued with a sexual harm prevention order until further notice and must register as a sex offender indefinitely.