Man with 'deviant sexual interest in underage girls' posed as teenage boy online to entice girl to send nude picture while on bail for other sex offences

Liam Tripp, 34, not only set up an account online posing as a teenager to get the girl to send half-naked pictures of herself, but he also made nearly 5,000 indecent images of children.

Hull Crown Court heard how Tripp had previously been arrested in April 2020 on suspicion of making indecent images of children following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Prosecuting Nigel Clive said: "The NCA received information that category A indecent images of children had been downloaded at this defendant's address.

"A search warrant was issued at the address and the defendant admitted he was responsible.

"He responded by saying 'I knew this was coming, I hate myself for it'."

Tripp's mobile phone and other electronic devices were seized and taken for examination.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Tripp could not be interviewed further and was released on bail.

Further investigations and forensic examinations were carried out by the NCA and Tripp was arrested at his home in Southcoates, Hull again on November 12, 2020.

It was revealed Tripp had made thousands more indecent images of children and had also posed as a young boy to target a girl in a chatroom and get her to send indecent images of herself to him.

Tripp pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, engaging in non-sexual activity and engaging in sexual communication with a child, at an earlier court hearing.

In mitigation, Richard Thompson said Tripp had taken the first step in addressing his offending by admitting his conduct.

Mr Thompson said: "At the age of 34, he has no previous convictions and any custodial sentence will have a significant impact.

Sentencing Tripp to a total of 36 months in prison at Hull Crown Court on Monday, Judge David Tremberg said: "It's clear you have a deviant sexual interest in prepubescent girls."

Tripp was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.