A MAN with learning difficulties sent inappropriate messages to someone who he believed to be a 12-year-old girl, a court heard.

Declan Dermody, of Lund Terrace in Ulverston, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on May 1 for attempting to engage in sexual communications with an adult decoy posing as a child over a six-day period between May 28 2022 – June 2 2022.

Prosecuting the case, Paul Cummings said the 25-year-old defendant told the decoy she was ‘cute’, ‘fit’, ‘pretty’ and an ‘awesome lady’ whilst communicating together on an online site.

Mr Cummings said the defendant asked if they could move onto WhatsApp where he then went on to ask the decoy what her opinion of nudes was.

The court heard he told the decoy he was excited as he had ‘not spoken to a female in a while’.  

The defendant then asked the police decoy if she’d ever seen pictures of male genitalia before, the court heard.

Mr Cummings said Dermody then sent the police decoy an indecent picture. 

The court heard the decoy made it clear to the defendant on several occasions that she was 12 years old.

In mitigation, Kimberley Obrusik said her client had difficulties retaining and processing information.

She said: “This is an internet-based case. There is no suggestion of arrangements for any contact.

“He knew what he was doing was wrong and he apologises to the decoy throughout. He was clearly aware of the issues.

“He is a man with no previous convictions and there has been no further offending since the commission of this offence.

“All factors point to you being able to step away from an immediate custodial sentence."

His Honour Judge Richard Gioserano said cases of this nature involving children were ‘taken very seriously by the court'.

He added: “You are considered to be a complex and vulnerable young man with a learning disability. You clearly knew this was wrong and that you should not have done it.

“The normal course of action for this kind of offence is a prison sentence, but that is not going to be the sentence in your case as you are of previous good character and have strong personal mitigation.”

Dermody was handed a two-year community order with one requirement to complete 30 RAR days.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years, as well as being placed on the sex offenders register for five years.