A MOBBERLEY man has avoided jail after arranging to perform a sex act with a 14-year-old boy from Winsford.

James Russell, of Carlisle Close, also sent phone messages to the boy asking him to send intimate photos and quizzing him about his sexual preferences.

The 55-year-old, on receiving a photo, also sent a message describing the boy as 'sexy'.

Russell admitted engaging in sexual communication with the boy, as well as facilitating a sexual offence, and attempting to cause him to engage in sexual activity on March 19, this year.

He pleaded guilty to all three offences on Saturday, March 23, and was committed to Chester Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, August 8.

Passing sentence, Recorder Eric Lamb, handed Russell two years in prison, suspended for two years, along with 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He also made him subject to 10-year sexual harm prevention order, meaning he must have no unsupervised contact with children under 16.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years, and to pay a £186 victim surcharge by Monday, September 9.

Condoms and lubricant seized from him by police will be destroyed.