‘Dangerous predator’ caught in online sting

A ‘dangerous predator’ who plotted to sexually assault a five-year-old girl has been jailed.

Jared Lamb, 46, sent graphic messages about how he planned to abuse the child and a series of indecent images to undercover officers posing as the girl’s father, South Yorkshire Police said.

He was arrested as he traveled to Sheffield after arranging to meet the girl and her father on July 20.

Lamb, of Brookwood Way, Chorley, was jailed for five years at Sheffield Crown Court after admitting arranging to commit child abuse and three counts of distributing an indecent photograph of a child.

He was also told he must serve a further six years on probation and was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Det Con Kayleigh Banks said: “Online chat platforms and sites are often where disturbing crimes like Lamb’s begin, and it is the work of the Internet Sexual Offenses Team to ensure sex offenders are caught and brought to justice before a child is harmed.

“Their work is obviously carried out behind the scenes, but plays a vital role in keeping dangerous predators like Lamb off the streets of South Yorkshire.”

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Soundsstay up to date with the latest news episode of Kijk Noord or tell us a story you think we should have cover here.