A MAN who worked as a mascot at Blackburn Rovers has been jailed for three years for sex offences involving youngsters.

Scott Henderson, 24, was one of several volunteers who dressed up as Roar the Lion for matches at Ewood Park.

Police said he performed sex acts via a webcam after contacting boys as young as 14 through Facebook.

He also had obscene video clips of children.

He was arrested in October 2010 and has now been jailed for 40 months at Preston Crown Court after he earlier pleaded guilty to seven charges.

Henderson, of the Wensley Fold area of Blackburn, admitted two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

All the charges relate to incidents in September, March and April 2010.

After Henderson was first charged with the offences 18 months ago he was relieved of his duties by Blackburn Rovers.

During the course of his duties as Roar, he would appear as the mascot at games, as well as attending children's birthday parties.

Henderson also helped out at the club's indoor football centre next to the Darwen End.

Following his arrest police seized his computer and found a number of indecent images of young boys.

Neil Fryman, prosecuting, told the court the one youngster had been befriended by Henderson on Facebook and had received a message which said: “Have I told you how good looking you are? I'm gay. Don't say owt.”

The victim then received a web-cam invite which said: “There’s something interesting I want to show you” from the defendant.

Henderson moved the camera down to show him wearing a Blackburn Rovers jumper but he was naked from the waist down. The court heard how the boy could clearly see the defendant committing a sex act.

On Henderson's computer police found records of conversations with boys via the internet and a number of images of naked teenage boys and children.

Martin Hackett, defending, said Henderson had struggled in the past to come to terms with his own sexuality and was bullied as a child. He also said the defendant found it hard to form relationships with people, especially those of his own age.

Mr Hackett added: “There wasn't any sexual touching, but obviously there was sexual activity over the internet.”

Judge Pamela Badly said: “I am particularly anxious that there should be no criticism of the institution where he worked. They take care of their youngsters who attend and a lot of very good work is done with the children.”

Judge Badly said Henderson was to be disqualified from working with children and subject to a sexual offences prevention order.

Det Insp Claire Holbrook said: “This was a very serious offence against children and my department works extremely hard to ensure that sad individuals like Henderson have to face the full weight of the law.

“I am pleased that he has pleaded guilty and that none of his child victims have to give evidence at court.

“It doesn’t go unnoticed, and is taken extremely seriously, that this man worked with children in an environment where he was in a position of trust.”