A convicted paedophile was warned his offending could result in jail time.

Joe Law, 22, pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court last month to attempted sexual communication, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

But at a hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, defence barrister Kellie Enever asked Judge Ian Pringle QC to order a pre-sentence report from the probation service looking at alternatives to an immediate prison sentence.

The judge adjourned for reports. But he warned: “I want to make it very clear to you the fact that I’m adjourning for a pre-sentence report should not be taken by you as any indication [about the type of sentence that would be imposed].

“These offences easily pass the custody barrier.”

Law, of Artizan Road, Northampton, was bailed to return to the crown court on December 22.

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