A paedophile has been jailed for four years after grooming his victim via the chat site WhatsApp.
David Peter Havis,38, from Essex, was convicted of three offences of sexual activity with a child under 16 years and one count of grooming.
He then began to communicate with his victim in September 2014 via sites such as WhatsAapp and shortly after travelled to meet the victim in Dorset where the sexual activity took place.
Detectives were alerted to the activities by social service following a disclosure to a teacher.
Detective Sergeant, Mark Fursman of the Paedophile Online Investigation Team said: “The bravery of those making the initial disclosure has resulted in a positive outcome for this case, but more importantly the victim is now safeguarded from further offences.
“I urge all parents and young people to be mindful of their internet activity and how easily social media sites can be manipulated for the purpose of those seeking to offend against children.”
Dorset Police encourage anyone with information relating to child abuse to contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.
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