East Sussex man jailed for sex offences against boys

A man who pleaded guilty to sex offences against boys who he tricked into sending him "inappropriate" images online has been jailed.

Michael Cole, 29, of Newhaven in East Sussex, admitted 11 counts of inciting sexual activity with boys and two of possessing indecent images of children.

He was jailed for four years at Lewes Crown Court on Friday.

Cole was given two sentences of four years, one of two years and another of one year to run concurrently.

He was placed on the sex offenders' register and served with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Cole was charged after police appealed to teenagers who may have been threatened online by a man posing as a woman.

During its investigation Sussex Police said teenagers, mainly boys aged 13 to 17 in the Seaford, Newhaven and Peacehaven areas, were approached by a person calling themselves Jenny Lane and threatened if they did not send inappropriate images.

Det Con Steve Shimmons said Cole, aka "Jenny Lane", used social media, including Facebook and Skype, to contact teenagers and sent out more than 100 friend requests.

"All were duped into sending photographs of themselves in the belief they were talking to an attractive young woman who made promises to them, and who, once they had sent images, threatened to share the images if the victims did not send more," he said.

"The promises included being sent naked photos and there was also talk of meeting up."

He added: "Cole poses a real danger to young people and we are glad that he has now been brought to justice."