A 31-YEAR-OLD man who had an internet, sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl was in fact communicating with a police officer.

Blackburn magistrates heard the contact had been fairly innocent at the start but over the course of eight weeks became more and more sexual in content.

Wayne Antony Greenwood, of White Ash Lane, Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child and attempting to meet a child following grooming.

He was sent on bail to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced on July 24.

Matthew Siddall, prosecuting, said Greenwood exposed himself and pleasured himself in front of what he believed to be the girl. He then arranged to meet her at a cinema before the police revealed the truth of the situation.