A BARROW man will today be sentenced after he admitted attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child after being caught by a undercover police operation.
Martin John Lahiff, of Storey Square, Barrow, thought he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl online, but that the other person was an undercover police officer.
Lahiff pleaded guilty to two sexual offence charges when he appeared in court in November.
The 26-year-old admitted attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity, and intentionally engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child for the purposes of sexual gratification. Both charges related to October 27.
Prosecutor Ms Chrissie Hunt told the court at a previous appearance the defendant had been communicating with an undercover police officer and not a child.
The court also heard that Lahiff has previously possessed indecent images of children.
Lahiff's solicitor Ms Maureen Fawcett, said he was ashamed of himself, and added: "Fortunately it was an undercover police officer and not a 13-year-old girl."
Lahiff will be sentenced today at Preston Crown Court.
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