A man who attempted to engage a 13-year-old girl in sexual activity was caught in a police sting operation.

Michael Cox, of Derwent Road, Wyke Regis, appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He has already pleaded guilty to three offences - attempted sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, attempting to make her watch sexual activity, and sexual communications.

This relates to an incident on July 12, 2022.

Robert Salame, prosecuting, said Cox, aged 45, had engaged in sexualised chat with a 13-year-old girl on the chat website Chatiw before moving to Snapchat.

The court heard that Cox asked her if she was over 18. When she replied that she was 13, he asked if she was 'horny' and sent her an indecent picture of himself before asking her to touch herself.

The court heard this was a police sting operation and Cox was actually communicating with an officer. His IP address was tracked - leading to his arrest.

In a police interview, he admitted his actions.

Cox, who was not represented, told magistrates: "I have never done anything since. I have done everything everybody has said for me to do.

"It was a one-off mistake, and I was on an over-18s site."

Because of the serious nature of the offences, Cox must be sentenced at the Crown Court.

Chair of the magistrate's bench, Graham Westbrook said: "We have read the probation report and discussed it. We will be sending you (Cox) to the crown court for sentencing.

"The bottom line is these types of offences are ones that we do not normally deal with and we do not feel like the right people to make that decision."

Cox will next appear on April 19 at Bournemouth Crown Court. He has been granted unconditional bail.