A PERVERT who tried to groom a teenage boy in an internet chat room was caught out in an undercover sting.

Terence Myles, 39, thought he was talking to a 13-year-old when he offered £120 for a sexual encounter, Preston Crown Court heard.

But Myles, of Perry Street, Darwen, was in fact speaking to an undercover cop, posing as the teenager, and was arrested.

On two separate occasions in December 2016, Myles engaged the officer in sexual conversations after meeting him in the chat room aimed at 13-19-year-olds.

He tried to encourage the youngster to meet him to participate in sex acts, offering money and reassurance.

Myles pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to arrange sexual assault on a child, and a charge of attempting to cause a child to look at a sexual image.

He appeared at Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.

Judge Philip Parry said: “It is a sad state of society that we have undercover police officers who need to be deployed to chat rooms because people like you trawl them, attempting to engage young people for sexual thrills.

“That is what you did, not knowing that the person you were talking to was a police officer.

“You let it be known very quickly that you wanted this to be a sexual conversation between you and him.

“He let it be known very quickly that he was 13 and you didn’t disguise the fact that you were a much older man.

“This was with a view to you and him meeting so that you could engage in sexual activity.

“You pursued him, cajoled him, befriended him and groomed him, all with a view to get him to meet you.

“You offered £120 cash if this person was to meet.”

The court heard Myles committed the offences when he was at a low ebb and had turned to drink and cannabis.

Since 2016 he has not come to the attention of the police and a pre-sentence report suggested there was a chance to rehabilitate Myles, with the correct type of work.

He has taken steps to address his drinking and secured employment, the court heard.

Judge Parry sentenced Myles to a three year community order with sex offenders' treatment requirement.

He must also carry out a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and has been made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and notification requirements for 10 years.