A 31-year-old man has been jailed for child sexual offences which saw him in possession of over 40 indecent images and videos.

Jamie Lines, of Leek, was convicted at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 21 January after pleading guilty to multiple offences.

He was jailed for three and a half years for three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, possession of an extreme pornographic image, three counts of attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity and two counts of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

Lines used an anonymous username to exploit children on internet forums, saving indecent pictures and movies to his personal device.

In July 2019, officers acted on intelligence and executed a search warrant at Lines' property, where various devices were seized and examined.

He was found to be in possession of 31 indecent images and 13 movies – eight of which were deemed Category A – the most severe classification.

Detective Constable Shaun Ashworth, the officer in charge of the case, said: "Lines abused the trust of strangers on the Internet and committed sinister acts on vulnerable children.

"I'm happy that we have been able to deliver justice and I hope this sentence serves as a reminder that these heinous criminals will be dealt with accordingly."

If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, contact Staffordshire Police on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101. In an emergency, call 999.