A MAN who engaged in sexual communication with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl, but was actually an undercover police officer, has avoided jail. 

Benjamin Stanistreet, 34, admitted two offences – engaging in sexual communication with a child and attempting to force a child to watch images of sexual activity.

He was given a 10-month prison sentence suspended for two years.  

The communication happened between February 23 and March 1, 2023.

Although he believed that he was speaking to a 13-year-old girl, it was actually an undercover police officer working on chat platforms online to identify and locate offenders interested in children.

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During the conversation, the officer told Stanistreet that he was speaking to a 13-year-old girl.

On Friday, March 22, Winchester Crown Court heard that Stanistreet sexualised the conversation and acknowledged that people would not like the fact that he was talking to a 13-year-old girl.

Prosecuting, Ben Hale said Stanistreet, of Headley in Bordon, requested pictures of the girl and showed her a picture of his penis. He also sent videos of him masturbating.

In mitigation, Hannah Hurley said Stanistreet has been 'truly remorseful' since the incident.

She added that he is not sexually attracted to children and police could not find evidence for anything like that on his device.

In sentencing, Recorder Jaron Crooknorth gave credit to him for the guilty plea.

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“I believe that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation which is reflected in the attitude you have taken since this incident,” he said.

Stanistreet has to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work and undergo a sexual offence treatment programme.

He will be placed on Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.