A DELIVERY driver sent an indecent image of himself to someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.

But Paul Lockwood, 53, was in reality chatting via the internet to an undercover police officer pretending to be 'Sky', Bradford Crown Court heard.

The incident occurred in February last year.

Lockwood, of Caister Street, Keighley, asked what Sky was wearing and if her leggings were tight, prosecutor Alisha Kaye said.

He asked for photos of her "the naughtier the better" and he sent her a picture of him exposing himself.

When she didn't respond by sending him any photos, he said it was "a waste of time", Miss Kaye told the court.

Lockwood made no comment when questioned by the police.

He went on to plead guilty to attempting to sexually communicate with a child, namely by asking for indecent photos and sending an indecent photo of himself.

He had seven previous convictions for 18 offences, including matters of dishonesty and an indecent assault on a child many years ago when he was 18.

Miss Kaye said that Lockwood had consistently solicited images over four days and had sent a photo of himself exposed but he had not made any threats or offered any inducements.

Julian White conceded in mitigation that the case crossed the custody threshold but he urged the court to suspend any sentence of imprisonment.

No real child was involved and Lockwood had not tried to meet up with 'Sky'. He had a job as a delivery driver, a settled address and a new partner.

His probation officer said he was in self-denial about his offending but he had since spoken frankly about it and was willing to engage with the service.

Judge Ahmed Nadim said Lockwood had asked for sexualised photos of what he believed to be a girl aged 13.

He was minimising his offending and did not recognise that he had a sexual interest in young children that needed addressing.

Judge Nadim said he would give him the chance to address his offending in the community because he had shown he could lead a responsible life.

Lockwood was sentenced to 13 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 35 rehabilitation activity days with the probation service and 200 hours of unpaid work.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was made for ten years and he must sign on the sex offender register, also for ten years.