A PAEDOPHILE from the Isle of Wight who used social media phone app, Snapchat, to exchange sexually explicit images with a 12-year-old girl for his own sexual gratification, has appeared before a judge to learn his fate.

Oliver Price, of Oxford Street, Cowes, faced the prospect of jail for engaging in sexual communication with a child, causing or inciting a girl aged U13 to engage in sexual activity and causing a child U13 to watch or view an image of sexual activity.

On August 15, he admitted the offences — committed between March 1 and April 15, 2021 — before Island magistrates.

He returned for sentencing today, September 13.

Price, 29, who discovered the girl on Snapchat, was aware of her age and told her he was 17.

She described the conversations becoming progressively intimate, said Jane Kelly, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.

Price, with no previous convictions, sent her pictures of him in boxers, then later, naked from the waist down, plus a Facetime message of him committing a sexual act on himself, with further similar videos following. 

She responded but contact stopped when the girl's mother confiscated her phone, over concerns about the communication.

She made copies of material sent by Price and shared it with the police, who arrested him.

Price admitted everything, revealing he created fake Snapchat accounts and sent numerous messages to random females, and also knew the girl's age. 

For Price, Jason Halsey said: "He knew the damage he'd cause. It's extraordinary conduct, which not only damaged the girl's family, but laid waste to his own. It's his own fault."

Mr Halsey said his client was also depressed, adding his marriage had been "on the rocks" and he felt isolated during Covid-19, so Snapchat activity became an addiction.

Price has since sought help and, through it, has shown remorse, Mr Halsey added.

Judge Richard Shepherd handed Price two years' imprisonment, suspended for two years, to include 30 rehabilitation days, a sex offenders' programme and 300 hours' unpaid work.

Price will also pay £425 costs and was placed on the sex offenders' register and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

He warned Price he would be jailed if he "put a foot out of line".