A MAN from Chelmsford has pleaded guilty to online sex offences and attempting to meet a boy under the age of 16.

Simon Collins, 57, of Moran Avenue, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 16, where he admitted to 12 different offences.

Collins pleaded guilty to three counts of extreme pornography, seven counts relating to indecent images of a children, one count of inciting a girl aged from 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and one count of attempting to meet a boy under 16 years of age following grooming.

The offences date between 2010 and 2015.

Collins was arrested on January 20, 2015, after officers from Essex Police’s Online Investigation Team executed a warrant at his home and computers were seized.

Investigating officer Dc Tony Miller, from the Police Online Investigation Team, said: “During our investigations, our team found hundreds of indecent images of children, many of which were category A - the highest rating for extreme child pornography.

“We also discovered inappropriate conversations with children and a history of accessing websites showing extreme pornographic images. This recent outcome and guilty pleas are testament to our hard work in bringing Collins to justice and our ongoing commitment around safeguarding children.

“Online predators like Collins pose a risk to our children online. I would encourage parents to be extremely vigilant about what access their children have online, particularly through online messenger services and applications.”

For further advice on keeping your children safe online visit www.ceop.police.uk/safetycentre/ and www.thinkuknow.co.uk.