Anthony Templeton had thought he was communicating online with children as young as 12.

But in fact he was talking to undercover police officers.

After they arrested him, they found more than 1,000 indecent images of children.

The 50-year-old, of Dudley Close, Watton, was jailed at Norwich Crown Court after he admitted a string of offences committed in the summer of 2024.

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He received an extended 10 year sentence made up of 76 months custody and 44 months on licence.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

The offences included attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child under 16 and attempted sexual communication with a child.

Templeton also admitted three counts of making indecent images of a child and possession of an extreme pornographic image.

Of the 1,211 images found 177 were category A - the most serious - while there were 95 category B images and 939 category C images.

More than 1200 indecent images were found on devices belonging to Anthony Templeton (Image: Newsquest)

There were also 33 category A videos, six at category B and one at category C.

Speaking after Templeton's sentencing, DC Paul Atkinson, of the Safeguarding Children Online Team (SCOLT), who lead the investigation, said:  “Our priority is safeguarding children by proactively identifying offenders at the earliest opportunity - whether they are committing offences online or seeking to progress to contact offending.

“We work closely with partners including the National Crime Agency, ERSOU and the wider national organised crime network to identify and bring to justice those who pose a significant risk of serious sexual harm to children.

Anthony Templeton (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

“Anthony Templeton is a clear example of such an offender. He believed he was sexually communicating with children as young as 12 and was prepared to travel to meet them with the intention of committing sexual offences.

“He was also found to be in possession of extremely concerning indecent images of children.

“We are committed to bringing to justice anyone who seeks to exploit children online or who engages in the sharing of child sexual abuse material.

“This offending fuels the demand for such content and contributes to the continued abuse of real children."

Templeton was also made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and also put on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

© Norwich Evening News