Convicted Chichester sex offender jailed over cybersex

A convicted sex offender from West Sussex who posed as a student to incite teenage girls to take part in cybersex has been jailed for four years.

David Lacey, 43, of Selsey Road, Chichester, made online contact with girls via social networking websites.

He was caught following a police check to ensure he complied with a 10-year sex offences order for downloading obscene pictures of children in 2004.

Chichester Crown Court heard he had indecent images of several girls.

Lacey pleaded guilty to 10 counts of making indecent pictures of children, all girls under 16, two of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, and two of causing or inciting a child aged 13 to 15 to look at an image of sexual activity.

In addition, the farm worker admitted possessing ammunition for a shotgun when banned for five years and possessing an air rifle, again while banned for five years.

He was sentenced following a two-year investigation by Sussex Police's Paedophile On-line Investigation Team.

Det Con Helen Cook said: "Lacey, already a convicted sex offender, had clearly and deliberately set out to entice vulnerable and impressionable young girls into his web of on-line sex.

"Had it not been for our vigilance, he might still be out there now."

Lacey was made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for life, and will be placed on the Sexual Offenders Register for life.

On his release from prison, he will also be made to comply with licence supervision requirements for a further five years.