A MAN has been jailed for a string of child sex offences preying on girls as young as eight.

Barry Gooderham, of Hawks Hill, North Weald, was handed six years in prison by a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday (May 12).

The 52-year-old was arrested on December 1 2015 after police found child porn on his computer, along with proof he had been chatting to children online from January 2014.

They were seized from his home and in court he admitted three counts of attempting to incite a child in sexual activity, five counts of distributing child sex images, and nine of making them.

He also pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a girl under 16 following sexual grooming.

Essex Police’s investigating officer DC Nick Riley said: “Following a long and thorough investigation Gooderham has been sent to prison for his sickening crimes.

“Gooderham used social media sites to target children across the country online, some as young as eight.

“He then preyed on their vulnerability, groomed them and attempted to entice them to engage in sexual activity.

“This case is another example of the dangers posed to children online.

“I would encourage carers, parents and other guardians to be extremely vigilant about what access their children have online and the risks posed from predators like Gooderham.”